Buckle up, because I think we're in for a very bumpy ride with this year's Runnin' Utes.

Tonight, as we've seen all season, they were far from consistent and dropped a very winnable home game to a fairly average Illinois State team. It was a game where the Utes trailed for a good portion of the contest and the entirety of the second half - which makes it even harder to accept because the Redbirds shouldn't be good enough to walk into our house and push us around. Yet, that's exactly what they did in handing Utah their sixth loss off the season and fourth at the Huntsman Center.

The latter might be more troubling because it was only a few years ago when no team escaped Salt Lake with a win. It just didn't happen. Now, during the Giacoletti and Boylen years, it's common to watch a mid-level mid-major program walk out of our arena pumping their fists (remember Albany, anyone?). 

Obviously this team has a long way to go before they can even hope to contend with the top-four in the Mountain West. 

Unfortunately, there are only three non-conference games left and two come on the road.

Like I said, buckle up.