The Utah Blockcast

In today’s episode, we start with the Utah ties to the Super Bowl — featuring Connor O’Toole, Miles Battle. Then we break down Utah football’s newly announced support staff and why the off-field infrastructure matters more than ever in the modern Big 12. Finally, we preview Utah vs. Kansas and what has to change for Alex Jensen’s group to compete against one of the league’s heavyweights.

On this episode... Dalton Kincaid, Devin Lloyd, and Garett Bolles were all named to the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl. Then break down why the February National Signing Day doesn’t move the needle like it used to. Then, I take a hard look at Utah’s transfer portal snap count comings and goings, and wrap with a quick preview of tonight’s Utah vs Arizona State men’s basketball matchup.

On this episode... Former Runnin' Ute Parker Van Dyke joins the Blockcast to talk all things Utah basketball, as well as his post-Utah journey, his iconic game-winner against UCLA, and how fan energy and team connection can shift the tide in tight games. This one’s part analysis, part culture check, and all about where Utah goes next.

In this Utah Blockcast, we break down Utah football’s 2026 transfer portal report card from every angle — retention, departures, and additions — position group by position group. This wasn’t a portal class built for headlines; it was a stabilizing haul after a major transition. We give grades on each addition, and spotlight the players most likely to impact Utah’s 2026 roster. From QB stability with Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin, to a wide receiver room that was stabilized with a couple of home run additions, to a cornerback rebuild that fits Scalley’s scheme, we tell you not just what Utah did, but why it matters.

In this episode, Andrew Crowley aka Runnin' Hoops Pod joins Steve Bartle, to provide a clear-eyed progress report on the Utes’ season and what the Big 12 grind is revealing about the rebuild. We break down where Utah has genuinely improved, why the offense is ahead of schedule, and how the Big 12 has exposed structural issues that can’t be ignored — from defense and rebounding to roster balance and road competitiveness. We also zoom out to the big picture: what this season tells us about Alex Jensen’s early blueprint, how much of this is roster versus scheme, and what must be addressed in the portal and on the recruiting trail for Utah to take a real step forward next season.

The Runnin' Utes kept within striking distance for more majority of the game, but as the game hit the final 10 minutes, BYU hit a different gear that Utah could not handle.

After two weeks apart, Bartle and Bennett get behind the mics to talk through Utah football's 2026 schedule. The schedule provides an early runway and just one reset, but it quietly demands discipline, depth, and consistency when the season tightens.

Is the The Holy War game in a good spot? Why not rivalry week? What about the bye week? Where are Utah's biggest challenges? What are fair expectations for Utah with this schedule? 

Breaking down Utah men’s basketball’s 81–78 loss to Kansas State, a game that wasn’t decided by effort or toughness, but by late-game execution. 

Then, pivot to Utah football’s 2026 schedule and some quick takeaways from the release.  The slate isn’t brutal on paper, but its structure — an early runway, one bye, and a punishing November — leaves little room for mistakes when legs and depth are tested. 

Back behind the mic... Utah football closes the 2025 season ranked in the Top 25 and opens a new era under Morgan Scalley with national credibility intact, while Indiana’s championship run proves programs built on development and continuity can still reach the sport’s summit.

On the hardwood, Utah men’s basketball’s win over TCU delivers a much-needed confidence jolt in Big 12 play — and why Utah’s positioning right now matters more than any single result.

In an instant reaction, Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett break down the historic day as Morgan Scalley was officially introduced as the head coach of Utah football.

We unpack Scalley’s deeply emotional yet confident press conference — from his heartfelt love for the program he grew up around to his unwavering commitment to a culture that’s bigger than any one man. Tune in as we dive into his quotes on the transfer portal, team identity, and player retention, and what they reveal about the future of Ute football. It’s continuity with a purpose — honoring the past, embracing the present, and forging a new path ahead. 

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind for Utah football — and this episode is about cutting through the noise.

Steve Bartle welcomes former Ute and Utah State quarterback Bryson Barnes for a quarterback-level breakdown of Utah’s offensive reset and the hire of new offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven. Barnes offers firsthand insight into McGiven’s system, how he teaches the position, and what actually translates from the QB room to Saturdays.

Bartle also reflects on the responsibility of covering a program in transition — and why getting the context right matters as much as getting the news first.

A quick episode to recap the latest happenings and rumors from Utah football on the defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator, player retention, and transfer portal fronts. 

Utah closes the season with a statement — and Morgan Scalley opens his head-coaching career the right way.

On this reaction episode, we break down Utah’s 38–14 bowl win over Nebraska and what it meant beyond the final score. From Devon Dampier’s record-setting performance to a defense that rediscovered its edge, the conversation centers on the decisive middle eight minutes that flipped the game and never gave it back.

We dive into Scalley’s first night in charge, the adjustments that mattered, why this win felt distinctly Utah, and what it signals for the program moving forward. This wasn’t just a bowl victory — it was the start of a new chapter, written with authority.

Utah’s coaching transition to Morgan Scalley was supposed to be clean. Then Kyle Whittingham took the Michigan job—and suddenly the stress test arrived early. On this episode, we also zoom in on what actually matters right now: is staff retention, roster retention, or recruiting retention the top priority—and why? Plus, Utah has a bowl game this week. What does it mean that Morgan Scalley is coaching the Las Vegas Bowl as his first game? Is it symbolic, strategic, or just another rep—or does it set the tone for the next era? Finally, we look ahead: how should Utah message this moment to players and recruits—“nothing changes” or “new era, same standard”—and which one actually lands in today’s college football landscape?

Kyle Whittingham’s on the move to Michigan - according to multiple reports. So, we break down why Michigan wants Whitt, what it could mean for staff and roster stability, and how Utah (and Morgan Scalley) have to respond immediately to keep the program’s foundation from turning into portal-season quicksand.

Former Utah wide receiver Kenneth Scott joins the show for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what Utah football.

Scott reflects on the culture Kyle Whittingham built over two decades — the toughness, accountability, and quiet consistency that turned Utah into a national brand without ever chasing trends. From locker-room expectations to leadership lessons that last well beyond football, Scott explains why Whitt’s impact can’t be measured just in wins.

Then the conversation turns forward. What does the transition to Morgan Scalley really mean for the program? How much of Utah’s identity stays the same — and where does Scalley put his own fingerprints on the future?

After 21 seasons and 177 wins, Kyle Whittingham is stepping down as Utah’s head coach, choosing a respectful handoff rather than a fiery exit or drawn-out farewell tour. He’ll lead the Utes one last time in the Las Vegas Bowl before Morgan Scalley takes over, marking a rare and culturally-rich transition in a program built on toughness, family, and consistency. On this episode, Steve, Tyson, and Bennett unpack their instant reactions, break down the messaging and optics of the move, celebrate Whittingham’s legacy with a top-five wins discussion, and project what comes next under Scalley’s leadership. 

When the news breaks that Kyle Whittingham is stepping down, everything stops. This emergency episode digs into the moment Utah fans always knew was coming but still weren’t fully ready for. We walk through what happened, why it happened, and what Whittingham’s departure means for the program he spent four decades shaping. From legacy to succession, recruiting fallout to portal ramifications, and how Morgan Scalley steps into the biggest transition in modern Utah football history — this episode tells the truth about where the program stands and where it goes next. Just a misty-eyed breakdown of the end of an era, the beginning of a new one, and the stakes Utah now faces in real time.

On this episode, Andrew Crowley and Steve Bartle break down a juicy December college basketball matchup: Utah vs. Mississippi State at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, tip-off set for Saturday at 8:00 p.m. MST on ESPNU. We dig into the backcourt battle between Utah’s Terrence Brown and MSU’s Josh Hubbard, dissect tempo and rebounding analytics, and debate whether the Utes’ home energy can slow down the Bulldogs’ relentless offense. Expect a look at the stats driving this clash between two programs fighting to build momentum before conference play begins next month. 

In this episode, we break down Utah’s historic private equity partnership with Otro Capital and the creation of Utah Brands & Entertainment LLC — a first-of-its-kind move in college athletics that could help generate up to $500 million to fuel the Utes’ future in the revenue-sharing and NIL era. We walk through what was announced, why it matters — including the benefits and risks (like donor fatigue and fan cost concerns), and how this could reshape everything from recruiting to ticket pricing and the everyday fan experience.

The Utes are headed to the Las Vegas Bowl to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers — we break down what this matchup means for Utah’s season and program momentum. We recap Utah basketball’s 91-85 win over Cal Baptist and what it says about their offensive identity. Then we dive into the buzz around Kyle Whittingham’s potential return in 2026 and how that decision could shape the future of the program. Finally, we hand out 2026 Signing Class Superlatives, spotlighting the key newcomers and what they bring to the table, headlined by Utah’s highest-graded recruit ever.

With a Dec. 5 deadline, this episode dives deep into one of the most pivotal decisions in modern Utah Football history: will Whitt return for another run, or is this the moment he steps away and hands the program to Morgan Scalley?

We break down the full case for retirement, the full case for returning, and how each path reshapes the identity and trajectory of Utah Football. From roster strength, NIL momentum, and unfinished business to the emotional toll. 

On this episode, joining the show as a special guest co-host is Andrew Crowley, better known as Runnin’ Hoops Pod, bringing sharp insight, and a veteran eye for how this team stacks up both stylistically and statistically. 

We cover:

Utah’s offensive pop and the standouts driving it

The defensive culture Jensen is building — and where Utah is falling short

The Big 12 landscape and where the Utes realistically fit

Progress indicators, red flags, and projections for conference play

It’s honest, detailed, and built for fans who want to understand why Utah looks the way it does — and what comes next. Whether you’re optimistic, skeptical, or somewhere in between, this is the episode that sets the stage for the rest of the season.