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The first episode of 2026 is a full-state check-in on Utah sports — and it starts with BYU finally having real options.

Matt breaks down the Cougars’ defensive coordinator search and explains why this hire is different from past cycles, with deep dives on Shaun Nua, Vic So’oto, Gary Andersen, Justin Ena, and why an in-house move would be settling. From there, the focus shifts north to a University of Utah program in flux, examining the coaching exodus to Michigan, the loss of elite offensive line development, roster departures, and the pressure now facing Morgan Scalley.

The episode also tackles the Utah Mammoth’s maddening inconsistency, questioning roster construction, special teams accountability, and whether lingering Coyotes-era holdovers are preventing real progress — while giving a well-earned Olympic shoutout to Clayton Keller. The Utah Jazz’s directionless rebuild comes under fire next, followed by Real Salt Lake’s Ojeda sale, what it means financially, and why the January transfer window complicates attacking upgrades.

Finally, Matt closes with BYU basketball and the AJ Dybantsa show, breaking down elite production, turnover concerns, short rotation warning signs, and why this Cougar trio might be the best in the country.

This episode sets the tone for 2026: less patience, more accountability, and real expectations across Utah sports.

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It’s the final Matt Cave Sunday of the year, so buckle up — because we’re hitting every major Utah team before we head into 2026.

Matt starts things off with bowl season, where Utah State gets a legit coin-flip matchup with Washington State, BYU gets a winnable showdown with Georgia Tech, and Utah walks into Kyle Whittingham’s last-ever game as a 16.5-point favorite in the Las Vegas. Then we jump to college hoops:

• Utah State looks like the class of the Mountain West.
• Utah gears up for Big 12 play with Arizona waiting.
• And BYU heads into conference play behind the 7–9 million dollar man AJ Dybantsa, who just dropped 35.

From there, we go pro: Real Salt Lake is quiet as usual, the Utah Jazz don’t play defense (seriously, not once under 100 allowed all season), and the Utah Mammoth sit just outside the wild card with a positive goal differential… but a real offensive problem.

And to close out 2025: a thank-you message straight from Matt to you.
This year was the hardest Matt has had since starting The Matt Cave — and also the most successful. You showed up, you shared the show, you supported it, and you helped it grow into something that opened doors Matt never thought he’d walk through.

Thank you, Spelunkers.
Enjoy the final episode of the year, and Matt’ll see you in 2026.

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This week’s episode of The Matt Cave Podcast opens with a deep dive into the University of Utah’s oddly worded announcement that Kyle Whittingham is “stepping down” — not retiring — and why the timing of that decision raises real questions. With a $500 million private equity partnership suddenly entering the picture, Matt breaks down why the language matters, why the silence around it is strange, and why the story may not be as simple as it seems.

From there, the show turns to bowl season — and whether it has meant anything for years now. Utah, BYU, and Utah State all earn postseason games, but opt-outs, transfers, and shifting incentives continue to erode what bowl games used to represent. Matt still walks through the matchups, expectations, and transfer portal implications, even while questioning why fans should care at all.

The episode wraps with a full reaction to The Game Awards, which finally felt like an actual awards show again. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominates the night for good reason, while the absence of Call of Duty, Destiny 2, and World of Warcraft sends a clear message about the current state of AAA and live-service gaming.

Utah sports, college football, gaming culture, and context — all in one Sunday episode.

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