The Utah Blockcast

Title:No. 3 Utah vs. No. 9 BYU Preview: Key Matchups & Prediction | Utah Blockcast Description:Can Utah take control of the rivalry and stay unbeaten? Steve Bartle breaks down No. 3 Utah vs. No. 9 BYU, where the Utes can create an advantage and why he’s picking Utah to win 31–27. The preview starts with Devon Dampier and Wayshawn Parker: how Utah can stress BYU’s defense, establish the run and find answers through its growing collection of offensive weapons. On the other side, can Utah’s defensive front contain Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin while the secondary limits explosive plays? Plus, Steve recaps a packed week of Utah Blockcast interviews, Morgan Scalley’s message about handling rivalry emotions and a major recruiting weekend with more than 50 prospects expected. In this episode:• Takeaways from Blair Angulo, Geoff Collins, Dalton Wasserman and David Ubben• Utah’s rushing attack against BYU’s defensive front• Dampier’s decisions and Kevin McGiven’s offensive wrinkles• Containing Bachmeier and winning the line of scrimmage• Key coverage matchups involving Jackson Bennee and Rabbit Evans• Red-zone execution, momentum swings and the 31–27 prediction What’s your final score—and which matchup decides the game? Drop your pick in the comments. Subscribe for Utah football coverage, recruiting updates, game previews and postgame reaction from Steve Bartle and the Utah Blockcast. #UtahFootball #BYUFootball #UtahBlockcast

Coach Geoff Collins calls Utah’s defense “must-see TV”—and he explains why. The former Georgia Tech and Temple head coach joins Steve Bartle on Utah Blockcast to break down Utah vs. BYU, Colton Swan’s aggressive defensive approach and the details that make the Utes difficult to attack. Collins explains how Utah’s press coverage, disciplined pass rush and tackling work together—and why sound execution matters more than making a defense complicated. We apply that breakdown to Bear Bachmeier, the challenge of containing a mobile quarterback and preparing for BYU with LJ Martin’s availability uncertain. We also turn to Utah’s offense: Devon Dampier, the two-quarterback packages, the physical offensive line and Jordan Gross’ impact. Collins shares his approach to managing rivalry-week emotions and why starting fast could be Utah’s biggest key at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Plus, a coach’s perspective on Georgia–Ole Miss, Miami–Notre Dame, Alabama–LSU and Kentucky–Tennessee. CHAPTERS  00:00 Meet Coach Geoff Collins  03:05 Why Utah caught his attention  04:38 Press coverage, aggression and Utah’s defensive identity  07:43 Colton Swan and the transition under Morgan Scalley  09:07 Defending Dampier and Utah’s two-quarterback offense  11:35 Jordan Gross and Utah’s offensive line  13:13 Managing the emotions of the Holy War  15:45 Containing Bear Bachmeier and collapsing the pocket  18:05 What stands out about Utah’s tackling  19:00 Preparing for the LJ Martin factor  21:04 Why Utah needs to start fast  22:42 Breaking down the national college football slate   Find more film breakdowns on YouTube at the Coach Collins Show and follow him on social media at @CoachCollins. Subscribe to Utah Blockcast for Utah football analysis, interviews and game reactions. What’s the biggest key for Utah’s defense against BYU? Let us know in the comments. #UtahFootball #HolyWar #CollegeFootball

No. 3 Utah. No. 9 BYU. A Holy War with national stakes. The Athletic’s David Ubben joins Steve Bartle on Utah Blockcast to discuss Utah vs. BYU, the College Football Playoff rankings and the bigger questions shaping college football. David explains why Utah’s next step is simple—keep winning—and what Morgan Scalley’s first season says about the program. We examine the committee’s treatment of the Big 12, the possibility of multiple Holy War matchups and why this rivalry could take a toll on both teams beyond Saturday. Then we go national: Georgia and Miami as David’s championship favorites, LSU as a dangerous outsider, and why spending big doesn’t guarantee winning big. How much do player evaluation, coaching and locker-room buy-in matter in the transfer portal era? And where could television money and conference changes take the sport next? Plus, breakfast tacos, a weekend packed with playoff implications and a Holy War prediction Steve probably should have let stand. CHAPTERS  00:00 David Ubben joins: Morning kickoffs and breakfast tacos  03:46 David’s path to covering college football  06:23 Utah vs. BYU in the national spotlight  09:51 Morgan Scalley’s start and Utah’s unfinished business  14:48 What is the CFP committee’s standard?  17:30 Is the Big 12 getting enough respect?  18:09 Championship favorites and the Holy War hangover  20:59 LSU’s upside and the contenders’ biggest flaws  23:02 Roster spending, player evaluation and building buy-in  26:56 TV money and college football’s future  29:09 A weekend that could reshape the playoff race  31:11 David’s Holy War prediction—and a quick correction   Find David’s reporting at The Athletic and listen to Bunch Formation with David Ubben and Chris Vannini. Subscribe to Utah Blockcast for Utah football analysis, interviews and game reactions. Who wins the Holy War—and how many Big 12 teams make the playoff? Leave your predictions in the comments. #UtahFootball #HolyWar #CollegeFootball

Before they covered Utah and BYU, Steve Bartle and Jeff Hansen were friends sharing the same classrooms, basketball courts and rivalry arguments. Now, they’re looking ahead to a Holy War between No. 3 Utah and No. 9 BYU. Jeff joins Utah Blockcast to revisit junior high bragging rights, the unforgettable 2006 finish and how the rivalry has changed. The longtime friends discuss covering the programs they grew up rooting for—and whether some of the fun has gotten lost along the way. Then, it’s Saturday’s showdown: LJ Martin’s uncertain availability, Devon Dampier and Wayshawn Parker attacking BYU’s edges, and the challenges presented by the Cougars’ defense. Jeff also explains why the first College Football Playoff rankings concern him for the Big 12, even with Utah at No. 3. Plus, opposing Holy War picks and what a win would mean for Morgan Scalley’s Utes and BYU’s playoff push. CHAPTERS  00:00 Jeff Hansen joins Utah Blockcast  03:02 CFP rankings: Is the Big 12 getting a fair shake?  08:56 Growing up with the Holy War  13:25 Rivalry memories and how the atmosphere has changed  17:13 From childhood fans to covering Utah and BYU  22:57 LJ Martin’s availability and BYU’s offense  27:30 Can BYU contain Dampier and Parker?  30:11 Dampier against BYU’s changing coverages  33:49 What a Holy War win would mean  36:14 Why Jeff is picking BYU  39:50 Why Steve is picking Utah   Subscribe to Utah Blockcast for Utah football analysis, interviews and game reactions. Share your favorite Holy War memory and score prediction in the comments. #UtahFootball #BYUFootball #HolyWar

Four Holy Wars. Four wins. Demari Simpkins knows what it takes to beat BYU. The former Utah wide receiver joins Steve Bartle on Utah Blockcast to revisit his undefeated rivalry résumé, the atmosphere at Rice-Eccles Stadium, and Utah’s unforgettable 2018 comeback from a 27–7 deficit. Demari shares what happened at halftime, how the players regrouped, and why composure matters when the rivalry gets heated. We also discuss what stands out about Kevin McGiven’s offense, Devon Dampier’s development, and the similarities Demari sees to Tyler Huntley’s growth at Utah. From receiver confidence to blocking and preparation, he explains the details that help an offense succeed. Plus, his journey from South Florida to Utah alongside Huntley and Zack Moss, firsthand stories about Morgan Scalley’s demanding standards, and why reconnecting former players with the program matters. Demari closes with his message to the Utes before Saturday’s Holy War. CHAPTERS00:00 Catching up with Demari Simpkins01:44 What stands out about this Utah team05:43 Devon Dampier’s growth and the Tyler Huntley comparison08:03 From South Florida to Utah10:39 Career memories and an undefeated Holy War résumé13:00 Inside Utah’s 2018 comeback16:39 Confidence, blocking, and the receiver mentality18:47 Morgan Scalley’s attention to detail20:40 Huntley, Moss, and Simpkins’ connection to Utah22:49 Bringing former players back to the program25:06 Demari’s message to the Utes Subscribe to Utah Blockcast for Utah football analysis, interviews, and game reactions. What’s your favorite Holy War memory? Share it in the comments. #UtahFootball #HolyWar #UtahBlockcast