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Source: Utah News
ESPN’s “College GameDay” is heading to Big 12 country for a top-25 matchup between Utah and Cincinnati in Week 10.
The No. 24 Utes (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) and No. 16 Bearcats (7-1, 5-0) face off in a game that has College Football Playoff implications, as both teams are aiming to reach the Big 12 championship and subsequently earn a birth in the 12-team field. Utah and Cincinnati are both competing with No. 10 BYU and No. 12 Texas Tech in the conference, as well.
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REQUIRED READING: Bowl projections: College Football Playoff gets one lock team after Week 9
The matchup marks the first time “GameDay” has attended a game with no SEC or Big Ten teams this season. In fact, the only team from outside those conferences to appear on the show in 2025 is Miami, which hosted rival Florida in Coral Gables, Florida, in Week 4 earlier in the season.
Salt Lake City should be quite the environment for “College GameDay” on Nov. 1. Here’s a look at potential celebrity guest pickers “College GameDay” in Week 10.
Smith, the No. 1 pick of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Utah, played 16 NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback was the 2020 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
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Smith was a first-team All-American in his final season with the Utes, throwing for 2,952 yards with 32 touchdowns to four interceptions in 2004. Smith is currently an NFL analyst for ESPN, which would make him an easy fit for the show.
Another Ute legend, Steve Smith is a four-time All-Pro receiver and current NFL Network analyst.
Smith played two seasons at Utah after transferring from Santa Monica College, a two-year school where he played alongside future NFL legend Chad Johnson. He finished his Utah career with 78 receptions for 1,608 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Smith was the “GameDay” guest picker in 2023 for Utah’s game against Oregon, which might deter ESPN from choosing him again.
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Weddle, one of the best players in Utah history, is another potential option.
The five-time All-Pro safety retired after the 2021 season following his first Super Bowl win as a member of the Los Angeles Rams. He’s currently the head coach at Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego.
He was named to the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot in June for his accomplishments with Utah.
“College GameDay” has picked celebrities without clear ties to the university multiple times this season, from country artist Jelly Roll to comedian Theo Von.
Why not give Post Malone a call? The famed musician lives in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, which is just outside Salt Lake City. He’s also a huge Dallas Cowboys fan.
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His song, “Something Real,” was also used as ESPN’s college football anthem for the 2023-24 season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who will be ‘College GameDay’ guest picker for Utah vs Cincinnati?
Source: Utah News
EDMONTON – A five-goal second period led the Edmonton Oilers to a 6-3 win over the Utah Mammoth. Utah dropped the final game of a four-game road trip and the team’s win streak ended at seven. Logan Cooley, JJ Peterka, and Barrett Hayton all scored for the Mammoth in the loss.
“We played a really good first period,” head coach André Tourigny said postgame. “We’re really happy about the way we played, the focus we had. We went away from that big time in the second and we paid for it. There’s a good team on the other side and (they) made big plays with what we opened up. It’s unfortunate, but we don’t want to forget we have six points out of eight on that trip and we have a good lesson today. So, there’s a lot of positive, and we didn’t go too high when we had success, we won’t go too low after a game like that.”
The line of Peterka, Cooley, and Dylan Guenther continues to find success. The trio were responsible for the first two goals tonight as Cooley and Peterka each scored, and Guenther had the primary assist on the opening tally. Whether it was stealing pucks, showing their elite shots, or pressure, the Cooley line continued to be a hard line to contain. They were a significant part of the Mammoth’s first period success where Utah had a 2-0 lead going into the second period.
“Coming out with a first period like that, I thought that was one of our best periods of the year,” Hayton explained. “Playing on top of them, playing with a lot of pace, playing our game. You need to play that way against a dangerous team like that. They have the star players and they’re able to take over control if we’re too passive. I thought we did a great job in the first, sticking to our game plan, playing with a lot of pace and just frustrating veering away from that in the second two periods.”
Source: Utah News
Luke Grimes, the actor known for his role as Kayce Dutton on “Yellowstone,” is returning to Utah for a rare intimate concert outside of Park City — for which all proceeds will go toward a local nonprofit.
Grimes, who released his self-titled debut album in early 2024, starred in all five seasons of “Yellowstone” as the former Navy Seal and son of John Dutton (Kevin Costner), which was filmed in Utah during its first three seasons.
This weekend, the actor-musician will come back to Utah for a roughly 220-guest concert at The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection for an hour-long set, which will include light storytelling and crowd interactions from Grimes.
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All profits made from the concert will go directly to Saving Gracie Foundation, a Utah-based nonprofit animal rescue and sanctuary with a focus on saving neglected, abused and abandoned horses.
Grimes, who will reprise his role as Kayce Dutton in the upcoming “Yellowstone” spinoff, “Y: Marshals,” was selected to headline the concert because he “channels the spirit of the American West.”
“His role in ‘Yellowstone’ has become synonymous with the West itself,” said Joe Ogdie, general manager of The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection. “It became a natural fit when we were looking for a musician. So we went out to him, and asked if he would be interested, and lucky enough, he was.”
Ogdie added that the Wasatch Mountains “make the perfect backdrop for Luke Grimes.”
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“We live in one of the best places in the world. We’ve got great access to nature that is literally out our back doors,” he added. “Our history of ranching and the connection of just outdoors and people that live that mountain lifestyle, there’s no better place to do it … looking up at the Wasatch Range.”
Grimes grew up in Ohio playing music in church and listening to his father’s country music albums. After playing drums in an Americana band for a couple years, the musician launched a solo act with country music inspired by personal stories of love and loss.
For his set at Blue Sky, Grimes will be accompanied by a bass guitar player, a drummer and a guitarist.
“It’s very much a very intimate kind of concert,” said Ogdie. “It’s set in our old riding barn that we’ve refurbished into our kind of ballroom, if you may. … It’s set with the horses all around it.”
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Blue Sky Lodge is located just of outside Park City, in Wanship, on 4,000 acres. The property boasts 25 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails along the Wasatch Range, as well as other luxury outdoor experiences such as meditation classes, helicopter adventures and experiential yoga.
Last year, the resort started searching for new ways to involve the community and enhance the guest experience. The solution was to host an annual concert series with artists who fit the “ultra luxury ranch style experience.”
Grimes will perform at Blue Sky on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. Tickets are available through the resort’s website.
Proceeds raised during Grimes’ concert will be donated to support the Saving Gracie Foundation — a nonprofit launched in 2015 by Barb Phillips, the owner of the Lodge at Blue Sky.
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Phillips started tending to horses living in insecure circumstances after learning a breeding family located just south of Blue Sky’s property had gotten into a tight position with their horses. In an effort to help, she began feeding one of the horses, Gracie, from across the fence line.
She eventually acquired the horse Gracie, who became the face of the foundation and is “healthy and vibrant and still on property,” said Ogdie. The Saving Gracie Foundation has rescued dozens of horses since.
“We make sure that we take care of these horses that are being neglected — or in some situations — our wild horses that end up getting round up and sent off to a kill pen, and she rescues them from there to make sure that they can live their best lives and be in the Spirit of the West,” Ogdie said.
“We’re always looking for additional help in making sure that Barb (Phillips) can continue her mission with making sure that every horse has the dignity that it deserves in the way that it lives.”
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Ogdie added that Grimes’ concert will help provide some of those extra funds the foundation requires to continue “finding ways to help the horses.”
A CBS “Yellowstone” spinoff series, “Y: Marshals,” starring Grimes, was approved for state film incentives by the Utah Board of Tourism Development, the Utah Film Commission announced in June.
The production received funding from the Utah Film Incentive, and began filming in Summit County this fall.
“Y: Marshals” was created by Taylor Sheridan, the brains behind the original “Yellowstone” franchise. It will follow Grimes’ character Kayce Dutton after he leaves Yellowstone Ranch to join an elite group of U.S. Marshals in Montana.
Source: Utah News
The Edmonton Oilers are going through a rough stretch, and Kris Knoblauch has responded by mixing up the lines. Some fans are questioning the constant changes, but here’s what’s actually happening: Knoblauch is trying different combinations because the current approach hasn’t been producing consistent results.
When a team has McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, and Bouchard and they’re still getting inconsistent performances, line changes are a logical response. Knoblauch is working with what he has, trying to spark something that gets the roster firing.
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The thing is, we’ve already seen what this team looks like when they’re fully engaged. Those final ten minutes against Montreal showed exactly what the Oilers are capable of. They played with urgency, structure, and purpose. That version of the Oilers is a legitimate contender. The challenge has been finding that level of execution consistently over full games rather than in spurts.
Now comes an opportunity. Utah is coming to Rogers Place, and this game could serve as a legitimate reset point. If they bring the same effort they showed late against Montreal for a full 60 minutes, they can build momentum heading into the rest of their schedule.
Albeit, first games back from road trips historically don’t favour the home team. Oh well.
Utah isn’t an elite team—despite their record—but they’re competitive enough to capitalize if Edmonton starts slowly. The Oilers need to set the tone early and maintain it.
Oilers Struggling In The Pacific
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A convincing win at home, playing the right way from the opening faceoff, would build confidence heading into tougher matchups. It would establish a baseline for how this team needs to play going forward. It would prove that those final minutes against Montreal weren’t just desperation hockey, but a preview of what this roster can accomplish.
Nugent-Hopkins acknowledged after Montreal that there’s more in that room than what they’ve shown consistently. The capability exists. The talent is there. The system works when they execute it. Now it’s about putting those elements together for a full 60 minutes.
The Utah game provides a perfect setup for that reset. It’s at home against a beatable opponent who’s somehow managing to lead their conference. It’s a chance to establish positive momentum before the schedule gets tougher.
New Long-Term Oiler Struggling To Make An Impact Early This Season
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If the Oilers come out with energy from the start and maintain that level throughout the game, they can use this as a foundation to build on. A full 60-minute effort where they control the pace would be exactly what this team needs right now.
The talent isn’t in question. The system has proven effective. What’s been inconsistent is bringing that complete effort game after game. Utah represents an opportunity to break that pattern and establish a new standard.
Everything this team needs to succeed is already in place, and with a little bit of effort, tonight’s game is an opportunity to put it all together and reset the Edmonton Oilers’ expectations.
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Source: Utah News
Park City is pictured on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
As Utah’s housing affordability crisis continues to be a stated top priority for the state’s political leaders, short-term rentals — like Airbnbs and VRBOs — have been in some policymakers’ crosshairs.
Lawmakers for years have contemplated changes to Utah’s short-term rental laws — some to allow more restrictions and others more leniency — but it’s a moving target as the number of short-term rentals continues to grow.
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Past research has shown that short-term rentals eat into less than 2% of the statewide housing market, but they have a bigger impact on vacation areas like Park City, Moab and St. George. Housing experts have stressed that short-term rentals — while they impact some communities more than others — are taking up only a fraction of the state’s housing stock, and they’re just a small piece of the state’s housing affordability crisis.
Still, lawmakers have explored legislation targeting short-term rentals, including possibly enacting higher taxes on the properties. So a Utah taxpayer watchdog group recently commissioned a new report wanting to give lawmakers a bigger picture of short-term rentals’ impact — both on housing and the economy.
Billy Hesterman, president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, told Utah News Dispatch on Monday that he wants policymakers to “look at the whole picture” when it comes to short-term rentals — not just in the housing affordability conversation, but also as economic drivers.
“Short-term rentals are often framed as having an outsized impact on housing supply while only benefiting the relatively few Utahns who own them,” Hesterman said in a prepared statement issued alongside the report. “This couldn’t be further from the truth; the report shows that short-term rentals benefit small businesses, contribute to local economies, and generate needed tax revenue. As Utah grows, it’s important that our elected officials understand the role short-term rentals can play in boosting communities across the state.”
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The report released earlier this month concluded that while short-term rentals “continue to be a significant component of Utah’s tourism landscape, their broader impact on housing supply and affordability is relatively limited at the statewide level.”
They account for only 1.9% of the state’s total housing stock, the report said. And even in the communities where they’re the most concentrated, if they were to be converted into for-sale homes, they still “would not fundamentally solve local housing shortages or materially shift affordability for most residents.”
To understand their impact, the Utah Taxpayers Association study tested a scenario: What if the state’s short-term rental properties were converted into traditional residential housing?
“We wanted to evaluate what would happen if all of the current STR stock became available, residential housing,” said Hesterman. “This helps us understand what’s at stake and whether or not STRs are a major driver of supply-side availability and affordability.”
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Even if all of Utah’s year-round short-term rental housing units moved to the residential housing market, the statewide median home price would drop by just 0.4%, the report concluded. That would equate to about $2,000 off a $500,000 home’s sale price. And still, less than 1,000 short-term rentals would be affordable for families earning their area’s average income.
In areas where short-term rentals are highest — such as Summit, Grand and Kane Counties — converting them would “dramatically increase inventory; yet these markets often have limited year-round housing demand and unique economic drivers,” the report said.
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Hesterman said those areas, while they have housing challenges, also “benefit greatly” from their short-term rental availability and the tourism dollars they bring. He said any changes like increased regulations or higher taxes on short-term rentals would likely not “have the impact people hope” while the “status quo is producing really good results for those areas.”
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As for Utah’s largest and fastest-growing urban counties, the report said short-term rentals “represent a negligible share of housing stock, and their potential conversion to owner-occupied or rental housing would provide only marginal and temporary impacts on housing supply.”
At the same time, the report found that short-term renters generate a significant amount of tourism dollars, totaling $1.19 billion in direct visitor spending in 2023. Additionally, the report found they’ve led to an estimated 10,200 jobs across the state.
Tax wise, short-term rentals have generated an estimated $35.8 million in usage taxes, which the report said accounts for more than a third of statewide collections for hotel and other temporary room rentals. Plus, short-term rentals generated about $181 million in property tax revenue last year.
“This research makes it clear,” Hesterman said. “Eliminating short-term rentals would do almost nothing to solve Utah’s housing challenges, but eliminating their significant benefits to tourism and small business-based economies would create revenue shortfalls and other problems for communities across the state.”
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Hesterman said he thinks lawmakers should continue focusing on incentivizing more affordable housing types rather than “punishing or regulating” the short-term rental market.
“Let’s look at other options. How do we increase the supply? How do we look at making construction more affordable in the state and making sure our future families do have somewhere to live at an affordable cost?” Hesterman said. “There are a lot of options to consider.”
STR-Utah-Draft2_Oct2025_FinalDraftV2
Source: Utah News
After a 1-1 start to the new NBA season, the Utah Jazz have an intriguing second week of action on the schedule ahead with a bundle of eye-catching storylines bound to unravel.
Here’s three of the top Utah Jazz storylines to watch for the week ahead:
After an outstanding preseason where he looked like not only one of the best rookies in the class, but one of the best players on the Jazz, Ace Bailey‘s first two regular-season games did not go as expected.
This comes in large part due to a poorly timed sickness that put the 19-year-old’s status for the season opener in serious doubt.
Bailey played just 17 minutes per game, largely because he’s been on a minutes restriction while recovering from the illness, a far cry from the 35 minutes per night he got in the two preseason games where he was healthy.
In those healthy preseason games, Bailey averaged 22.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game on 65.5% from the floor and 40% from three-point range. In the regular season, those numbers are 1.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
Ace Bailey went off in his first taste of pro ball…
Had him running off screens & cutting off ball like a true movement shooter, and he was hitting nasty shots. Created opportunities for himself with quick hands + on the glass. Handful of nice passes/drives. Encouraging stuff. pic.twitter.com/bVmF0nEeIH
— NBA University (@NBA_University) October 9, 2025
He’s hit just 1/10 shots, with the vast majority of his misses coming up short. On top of that, you can see him laboring when he’s on the court, a far cry from where he’s been physically.
Regardless, I think we’ll see the Ace Bailey breakout sooner rather than later. Once he gets his sea legs back under him, I’d expect him back in the starting lineup and playing a big role for the Jazz. His talent is undeniable, and he’s a perfect fit for Will Hardy’s schemes on both ends of the court.
asWalker Kessleri was the star of Utah’s opening night victory, where he scored 22 points on a perfect 7/7 shooting (including 2 three pointers), grabbed 9 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, blocked 4 shots, and recorded 2 steals. Talk about stuffing the stat sheet.
He followed that up, however, by scoring just 3 points and turning the ball over 6 times. He still made a positive impact while on the court, but far less than on opening night. Most notably, there was 1 rebound that he couldn’t squeeze that was costly.
All in all, Kessler is in for a massive fourth season with the Jazz. If he can consistently play closer to how he did on night one, the team will be highly competitive this year.
Jazz fans have shown their distaste that Svi Mykhailiuk, who’s actually been quite good so far, is in the starting lineup over some of the younger options. However, it’s clear that Hardy is using this starting lineup because of Bailey’s minute restriction, and it is not a permanent solution.
Some other rotation decisions will arise when Isaiah Collier and Georges Niang, both of whom have missed the entirety of the preseason and the first week due to injury, return.
Collier, who started games for the Jazz at PG last season down the stretch, has watched both Keyonte George and Walter Clayton Jr. play well thus far.
Fortunately, both George and Clayton are skilled shooters who can play off the ball with other ball handlers. I’d expect we see a second unit consisting of both Collier and Clayton when the USC product’s hamstring is healed.
As for Niang, his spot in the rotation is murkier. So far, only Mykhailiuk and Jusuf Nurkic have gotten consistent rotation minutes, with the former’s likely to fade almost entirely soon.
Does Niang push out a young player? Does Will Hardy expand his rotation to 11 guys? I think both of those are unlikely; however, there could be matchups where the Jazz opt to go small and play Niang instead of Nurkic.
Be sure to bookmark Utah Jazz On SI and follow @JazzOnSI on X to stay up-to-date on daily Utah Jazz news, interviews, breakdowns and more!
Source: Utah News
Source: Utah News
The Phoenix Suns (1-2) visit the Utah Jazz (1-1) Monday. Tip-off from Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, is set for 9 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Suns vs. Jazz odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2024-25 season series: Suns won 4-0
The Suns have lost 2 games in a row since their season-opening win. They are coming off a 133-111 road loss to the Denver Nuggets Saturday as 13-point underdogs as the Over (235) cashed. G Devin Booker scored 31 points and dished out 7 assists in the losing effort.
The Jazz opened the season with a 129-108 home win over the LA Clippers Wednesday and then lost 105-104 to the Sacramento Kings Friday, covering as 6-point road underdogs with the Under (234.5) cashing. Kings C Domantas Sabonis hit a game-winning shot with 6.4 seconds remaining. F Lauri Markkanen scored 33 in the loss.
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:38 a.m. ET.
Suns
Jazz
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Jazz 124, Suns 118
The Suns have not looked good in their 2 road losses so far, allowing 129 and 133 points. The Jazz are 1-0 at home and looked good in their home opener.
Markkanen will be a matchup problem for the Suns, especially if Brooks is unable to play.
BET JAZZ (+100).
The Jazz are 2-0 ATS so far this season. The Suns have not covered the spread yet this season.
But with only a 1.5-point spread, if you like the Jazz to cover, you might as well back them on the ML, since you get plus odds, and the only way they cover without winning is if they lose by 1 point.
PASS.
Two of their 4 meetings last season surpassed 233 total points. Two of the Suns’ 3 games have surpassed 233 total points. The Jazz are 1-0 O/U at home this season.
Suns opponents have scored at least 129 points in their last 2 games, so if they have a similar defensive performance against the Jazz, they need to score only about 105 points to clear the Over.
BET OVER 231.5 (-110).
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Source: Utah News
Over 100 park rangers and community members shared hugs and a warm pasta dinner in Springdale on Thursday evening. For some of Zion National Park’s furloughed park rangers, it was the first time they had seen their colleagues since the federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1.
“We saw a lot of emotion on a lot of people’s faces last night,” said Natalie Britt, the CEO of Zion Forever Project. “The level of gratitude, the way that filled the room, was almost a spiritual experience to me.”
Zion Forever, the national park’s nonprofit partner, quickly threw together the private event, called “Standing with Our Rangers,” as it began hearing about rangers’ financial woes. Nearly two-thirds of national park staff across the country have been furloughed since the federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1, according to the Park Service’s shutdown plan.
“When you start hitting a month into a shutdown, that’s two payrolls,” said Britt. “Folks are starting to feel the impacts.”
In response, Zion Forever and the community surrounding the park have rallied to support the park rangers. Zion Forever organized the event, but numerous local businesses and community groups donated to help make it happen.
Staff at Zion Canyon Brew Pub, a restaurant frequented by park rangers, volunteered to cook the hot meal. A local gas station donated vouchers so rangers could fill up their cars. Zion Animal Lovers offered help with pet care. Sol Foods donated certificates to the grocery store.
The list of donors goes on, including local hotels, the towns of Springdale and Rockville and even individuals who dropped off packs of toilet paper and laundry detergent.
“These businesses exist because Zion is here,” Britt said. “And I think when the park needs the businesses, the businesses always show up here to support the park. It’s a mutually beneficial, wonderful relationship.”
Beyond meeting basic food and household needs, the partners also hoped to foster a sense of community during a challenging time.
“Bringing everybody there to have a big meal together, it was actually really touching and emotional to see these people and the stress and the concern that everybody has,” said Jolene Pace, owner of Zion Canyon Brew Pub.
Many of Zion’s park rangers live in the towns throughout Washington County. “Our kids go to school together. They pray together. They see each other at baseball events or playing pickleball,” Britt said. “So this was really a place of fellowship, and I think a gathering like this was able to boost spirits.”
Britt said Zion Forever Project and community partners plan to continue organizing community gatherings and providing resources to meet rangers’ basic needs.
This includes mental health support. Last year, the nonprofit piloted a wellness fund, which covers counseling for park employees at the Springdale Clinic. The nonprofit announced on Friday that it received additional financial support for this initiative from the Sun-Blaney family, which has set up the Isabel’s Light Employee Wellness Fund in honor of their daughter who loved the park.
Britt thinks interest in mental health resources will only increase as the shutdown weighs on rangers. “This is a very stressful time,” she said. “We’re going into one month, the second longest shutdown in federal history. I think we’re all assuming this will probably go the longest, and we have to be aware that we’re moving very quickly into the holiday season.”
People can donate and leave a note for rangers on Zion Forever’s website. “Rangers have shared with us how wonderful it is to be able to hear from people,” Pace said, “and to be able to get that support.”
Source: Utah News
