The Utah Blockcast

On today's episode... I welcomed on PFSN's Draft Analyst Ian Cummings on to talk through the Utes performances at the NFL Scouting Combine. The conversation centers around the offensive tackles Spencer Fano & Caleb Lomu, as well as tight end Dallen Bentley.

On this episode... I discuss five questions I hope to have answers to by the time the offseason arrives for Utah men's basketball, centered around the transfer portal and roster construction efforts. After that, receiver Ryan Davis joined me for 25 minutes to talk through his time with Utah football, as well as what's next for him and the Utes.

On this episode... I dive into Utah's struggles against Iowa State, and the bigger picture issues that led to last night's lackluster performance. Also, Gave Peterson's Utah women's squad got a big road win last night.

On this episode... I break down Utah football’s five representatives at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine — their draft stock, and why this week in Indianapolis (Feb. 23–March 2) matters. Then flip the conversation: who’s next up to replace those five in Salt Lake City?

In this episode... I take a look at the month to month production from Utah's three top producers and assess their development over the course of the season. After that it's a preview of the UCF Knights for Saturday night's contest against the Runnin' Utes.

Utah walked out of Morgantown with a 61–56 win in a game they led for over 39 minutes. It wasn't pretty, in fact it was downright ugly. The second-half defensive slippage definitely needs to be to cleaned up. The offense stalled for far too many stretches.

In this episode, I break down the 2026 class player by player and zoom out to what it all means. What are Alex Jensen and Wes Wilcox prioritizing in this class? I unpack how this group addresses Utah’s Year One weaknesses, why it screams Big 12 construction, and why this class seems to provide direction in the vision of this program rebuild. 

On today’s episode... I open with a quick recap of my first experience at a Red Rocks’ meet. They controlled with a business-like victory over BYU. Then, I shift to the hardwood, previewing Utah men’s basketball’s road test at Cincinnati — and what the Utes must do to manufacture margin. Lastly, I close with a Utah football segment: the guys we aren’t talking about enough — the trench pieces, efficiency weapons, and developmental defenders who quietly factor into Utah's outlook in 2026.

In this episode... I dive into Utah football’s defensive depth chart ahead of spring ball, breaking down position-by-position, key returners, incoming talent and the biggest spring storylines that could define the 2026 season. Before that, Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson had some interesting things to say about Alex Jensen and the Runnin’ Utes’ future.

In this episode... Steve Bartle shares some thoughts on the Super Bowl before diving into Utah’s offensive depth chart heading into spring ball — breaking down position-by-position and highlighting the early storylines that could define Spring 2026. With a pivot to Utah men’s basketball with Alex Jensen, discussing recruiting prep, how the team is shaping its offseason, and the rising G-League connection. 

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?