The Runnin’ Utes take a bit of momentum with them into the Pac-12 Tournament this week, after knocking off Colorado in the regular-season finale last Saturday. That game showed off the recent resurgence of Both Gach, who sparked Utah to victory over the Buffaloes. Ute Insider Dirk Facer and Mike Sorensen, as well as special guest Andy Sorensen, discuss the Pac-12 Tournament and what Utah needs to accomplish there and their chances of making the NIT, as well as the latest in the Utes’ quarterback battlle in spring camp, and Utah’s ski team defending its national title this week. That and more on this week’s episode.

Ute Insiders

Ute Insiders: Runnin’ Utes head to Las Vegas with some confidence and spring camp continues

It was another disappointing road trip for the Runnin’ Utes, who lost two games in the Bay Area and finished winless away from home in Pac-12 play. On the bright side, football is already back for its annual spring fling. There are a lot of holes to fill on the defensive side, and a starting quarterback position up for grabs. Former Utah football star Steve Tate joins Ute Insiders Dirk Facer, Mike Sorensen and Jody Genessy to discuss the basketball struggles, to dissect the Pac-12 Tournament seedings, to chat spring football, and to share the message of The HayesTough Foundation. That and more on this week’s extended episode.

Former Ute standout Steve Tate stops by for a good conversation and a good cause

It was a mixed bag for the Utes last week, falling to UCLA and knocking off USC. A bright spot for the Utes was the solid play of junior Alfonso Plummer, who has become more of a fixture in the rotation. Ute Insiders Dirk Facer and Jody Genessy talk about Plummer’s expanded role and look forward to this week’s games at Stanford on Wednesday and Cal Saturday. The duo also talks NFL Scouting Combine, where nine Utes will be showcasing their football wares this week in Indianapolis, and NFL mock drafts. That and more on this week’s episode.

Why did it take so long to get Alfonso Plummer into the rotation?

The road difficulties continued for the Runnin’ Utes last week in the Beaver State, where they dropped games to Oregon State and Oregon, keeping them winless away from home during Pac-12 play. So what’s the problem? The ball? (A different brand ball is used on the road than when they are at home). Youth? (Fifteen of their 17 players are underclassmen). Transfers? (Where is Donnie Tillman when you need him?). Ute Insiders Dirk Facer, Mike Sorensen, Jody Genessy and special guest Parker Van Dyke take aim at the issue and look ahead to this week’s games at home against UCLA (Thursday) and USC (Sunday). They also talk Utah football position battles as spring camp nears and news that a home-and-home with LSU has been added to the Utes’ schedule, albeit down the road 11 years. That and more on this week’s episode.

Looking for answers to Utah’s woes on the road

Ute Insider Dirk Facer welcomes longtime Deseret News columnist Lee Benson and former Ute sharpshooter Parker Van Dyke into the podcast booth to talk all things Utes. Together, they look at Utah’s win-a-few, lose-a-few season, discuss why winning on the road is such a task in the parity-laden Pac-12, and learn about the next stop on Van Dyke’s hoops journey (Tijuana). They also address Utah’s stellar 2020 football recruiting class and the fact a record nine Utes will be strutting their stuff at this spring’s NFL Combine. That and more on this week’s episode.

Pac-12 parity, the NFL Combine and the Tijuana Zonkeys

Ute Insiders Dirk Facer, Mike Sorensen and Jody Genessy look back at the Utes’ 0-2 trip to SoCal, where they faded down the stretch against USC and struggled throughout against UCLA. They issue midterm grades heading into the second half of league play — who has surprised and who has disappointed? — and talk about the Utes’ 2020 football recruiting class, and the departure of Utah running back Devonta’e Henry-Cole, who announced last week that he’ll be lacing ’em up for BYU next fall. That and more on this week’s episode. 

Grading the Utes’ performance at halfway point of Pac-12 season

A pair of important wins over Washington and Washington State last week helped the Utes climb from the Pac-12 cellar and back into the pack. Ute Insiders Dirk Facer, Mike Sorensen and Jody Genessy break down the two victories and point out the catalyst behind them — freshman sensation Rylan Jones. They also discuss Bradlee Anae’s stellar showing in the East-West Shrine Bowl and talk recruiting heading into next week’s national signing day. The Utes accomplished most of the heavy lifting during the early signing period in December, but there remain a few gems they hope to add to the 2020 class. That and more on this week’s Ute Insiders podcast.

Two big wins, one big performance and a look ahead to national signing day

After dropping four in a row, the last three in lopsided fashion, the Utah basketball team looks to get back on track this week when Washington (Thursday) and Washington State (Saturday) come to town. Ute Insiders Mike Sorensen and Jody Genessy take a look at the Utes’ recent slide and ahead to this week’s Pac-12 games. Just how important are these two contests? They also look back at Tyler Huntley’s strong showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl and preview this week’s Senior Bowl, where the Utes will be well represented. That and more on this week’s episode. 

What to make of Utes’ 4-game losing streak

The final AP Top-25 rankings were released Tuesday, with the Utes checking in at No. 16. After enjoying a high-flying season, which included winning eight straight conference games and earning a second trip to the Pac-12 title game, the season ended with a thud. But how good will the 2020 edition of this team be? Is this now a program that should routinely contend in the Pac-12 South? Utah Insiders Dirk Facer and Mike Sorensen examine the Utes’ prospects. They also revisit the Utah basketball team’s shellacking at Colorado, eerily reminiscent of the first meeting between the two teams as league foes. That and more on this week’s episode. 

Can Utah football be a consistent contender in the Pac-12?

The Utah basketball team opened Pac-12 play with a solid win over a good Oregon State team and a hard-fought loss to an Oregon squad that was ranked No. 4 in the country. But how good is this Utah team and its league? Ute Insiders Dirk Facer, Mike Sorensen and Jody Genessy discuss the subject. They also look back at the Utes’ lopsided defeat to Texas in the Alamo Bowl and discuss how Utah’s 0-2 finish will impact the team’s legacy. That and more on this week’s episode. 

How good is the Pac-12 and this Utah basketball team?

Ute Insiders Dirk Facer, Mike Sorensen, Jody Genessy and Joe Coles break down the Utah Utes’ Alamo Bowl matchup with the Texas Longhorns. What are the most intriguing storylines? Who or what might be the X-factor? And after the Utes’ disappointing Pac-12 championship game defeat to the Oregon Ducks, will they be toting any emotional baggage with them to San Antonio? That and more on this week’s special Alamo Bowl special edition of the Ute Insiders podcast?

Storylines, X-factors and matchups, what to look for in Utah-Texas Alamo Bowl

The national early signing period began Wednesday for college football programs around the nation, but the highest-rated player on the Utah Utes’ wish list — Clark Phillips III, a defensive back out of California — didn’t put pen to paper until Thursday morning. Phillips had originally committed to Ohio State but had a late change of heart. According to the University of Utah, Phillips is the highest-rated recruit ever to commit to the program. Ute Insiders Dirk Facer, Jody Genessy, Mike Sorensen and Joe Coles break down the first two days of the signing period and talk bowl preparation as the Utes gear up for their Dec. 31 showdown with the Texas Longhorns. They also revisit the Utah basketball team’s stunning victory over No. 6 Kentucky on Wednesday night in Vegas. That and more on this week’s episode. 

A big recruiting get, a big win on the hardwoods and big preparation plans for the Longhorns

The Utes, who entered the Pac-12 Championship Game against Oregon dreaming of the College Football Playoff or, at worst, the Rose Bowl, now find themselves on the outside looking in. Hello, San Antonio. So what went wrong against the Ducks? And how will the Utes respond when they face an unranked 7-5 Texas Longhorns team in the Alamo Bowl? One thing Ute Insiders Dirk Facer, Mike Sorensen and Jody Genessy agree on is the ‘Horns shouldn’t be taken lightly’ (remember the fight they put up against both LSU and Oklahoma?). They also talk Pac-12 all-conference honors (there were many for the Utes) and revisit Utah’s comeback victory over BYU on the hardwoods. That and more on this week’s episode.

Why the Utes shouldn’t sleep on Texas in the Alamo Bowl

All eyes will be on the Utah Utes and Oregon Ducks Friday night in Santa Clara, California. Can Utah stretch its winning streak to nine games and earn one of two things: a berth in the College Football Playoff or its first Rose Bowl invitation? Dirk Facer and rest of the Ute Insiders weigh in on the game and discuss the importance of style points, among other things. They also talk Utah men’s basketball (the Utes and Cougars meet Wednesday in the Huntsman Center) and women’s college volleyball (Utah faces Illinois in the NCAA first round in Provo Friday). That and more on this week’s episode.

Ute Insiders: Utes, Ducks, style points and the College Football Playoff

While interest continues to mount about a possible College Football Playoff berth for the Utah football team, Kyle Whittingham and the Utes are maintaining their focus on the task at hand — beating the Colorado Buffaloes and punching their ticket to the Pac-12 championship game. Ute Insiders Dirk Facer and Mike Sorensen take aim at the postseason scenarios heading into the final game of the regular season. They also talk Utah hoops and the Myrtle Beach Invitational, where the youthful Utes showed their age. That and more on this week’s episode.

Sizing up the Utes’ College Football Playoff possibilities

Longtime Deseret News Ute beat writer Dirk Facer leads a weekly discussion into the world of University of Utah athletics.

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Ute Insiders

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