The Jump Around

Can Wisconsin football exceed expectations in 2026?

On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch react to Phil Steele’s latest preseason preview and discuss why he believes the Badgers are poised for a major improvement this season. From projected offensive production to quarterback Colton Joseph’s outlook, we break down whether Wisconsin fans should share that optimism.

In this episode:

Phil Steele’s predictions for Wisconsin football

Whether averaging around 27 points per game would be enough for the Badgers

If Wisconsin’s success would come from internal growth or a favorable schedule

Our top instant-impact players for the 2026 season

The importance of transfers and first-year contributors in today’s college football landscape

Bradie Ewing’s role in reconnecting Wisconsin football alumni with the program

Twitter Portal featuring the latest Badgers and college football conversations

Jake Kocorowski joins the show to share his insights on Wisconsin football and react to Phil Steele’s projections

If you’re a Wisconsin Badgers fan looking for football analysis, recruiting discussion, transfer portal talk, and Big Ten coverage, subscribe for more content from The Jump Around on ESPN Madison and ESPN Milwaukee.

Wisconsin football is on a recruiting heater.

The Badgers have added several key commitments to their 2027 recruiting class and now sit among the top-ranked classes in the country. Is this a sign that Luke Fickell's vision is finally taking shape, or are recruiting rankings less important in the transfer portal era?

On this episode of The Jump Around with Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch, we discuss:

• Whether the NCAA still has any real power in college athletics

• The latest ruling involving college football eligibility and what it means for the future of the sport

• Wisconsin's rapidly rising 2027 recruiting class

• Why the Badgers now have 20 verbal commitments

• What fans should know about the recruiting process

• How much recruiting rankings actually matter in today's college football landscape

• Whether Wisconsin can sustain success through high school recruiting

• Does Caroline "KK" Harvey have the greatest athletic résumé in Wisconsin history?

• Twitter Portal featuring the latest Wisconsin and college athletics reactions

• Nick Osen of 247Sports joins the show to break down Wisconsin recruiting momentum and what it means for Luke Fickell's future

Subscribe for Wisconsin Badgers football coverage, recruiting news, NIL updates, Big Ten analysis, basketball discussion, and weekly live shows from ESPN Madison and ESPN Milwaukee.

Has Luke Fickell actually improved Wisconsin football?

On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch examine the biggest question surrounding the Badgers heading into the 2026 season. Despite several difficult years for the program, Luke Fickell has brought in promising young talent, including Cooper Catalano, Mason Posa, and quarterback Colton Joseph. But has it been enough?

Topics include:

• Wisconsin hiring Morocco Brown as football general manager

• Luke Fickell's best move since arriving in Madison

• Are Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa Fickell's most important recruits?

• Colton Joseph landing in ESPN's Top 100 newcomers rankings

• Whether Joseph is the most impactful addition of the Fickell era

• Is Fickell doing enough to promote Wisconsin football?

• Comparing Luke Fickell's public presence to Paul Chryst and Bret Bielema

• Recruiting momentum for the Badgers

• Brian Butch joins the show to discuss Wisconsin basketball and the impact of the athletic department transition

Subscribe for Wisconsin Badgers football, Wisconsin basketball, recruiting news, Big Ten analysis, NIL discussion, coaching insight, and weekly live shows from ESPN Madison and ESPN Milwaukee.

Is Wisconsin football becoming irrelevant in the modern college football landscape?

On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch react to anonymous Big Ten coaches taking shots at the Badgers and debate whether Wisconsin football is still viewed as a nationally relevant program.

We discuss:

Why many people seem down on Wisconsin football

What the Badgers must do to become nationally relevant again

Anonymous Big Ten coach comments about Wisconsin

Colton Joseph being ranked in Tier 15 of ESPN’s FBS quarterback rankings

Whether Joseph can fix Wisconsin’s offense

What Wisconsin’s record could look like if Joseph starts every game

Joel Klatt saying the current college football model is “unsustainable”

NIL, revenue sharing, and the future of college football

Twitter Portal reactions to the latest Wisconsin & college football takes

Jim Polzin joins the show to discuss the Wisconsin athletic director search and the state of the Badgers

If you’re a Wisconsin Badgers fan, this episode is packed with football debate, recruiting discussion, quarterback talk, NIL conversation, Big Ten analysis, and everything surrounding the future of UW athletics.

Subscribe for more Wisconsin Badgers football coverage, basketball analysis, recruiting updates, CFP discussion, NIL news, and live shows from ESPN Madison & ESPN Milwaukee.

Could Wisconsin football have won a national championship in an expanded College Football Playoff?

On this episode of The Jump Around, we dive into the growing debate surrounding the future of the CFP as the Big Ten reportedly pushes for a 24-team playoff while the SEC prefers a 16-team format. What would expansion mean for the Wisconsin Badgers? Would it actually improve UW’s chances to compete for a national title?

We discuss:

24-team CFP vs 16-team CFP

Whether playoff expansion is GOOD or BAD for college football

Which Wisconsin Badgers teams from the past could’ve made a title run

The Wisconsin Athletics Mount Rushmore debate

Is Barry Alvarez the most important figure in UW sports history?

Reactions to Wilde & Tausch discussing Barry Alvarez’s role in the Wisconsin AD search

Twitter Portal reactions to the latest Badgers & college football takes

Former Wisconsin Badger LaMar “Soup” Campbell joins the show to discuss the Wisconsin athletic director search and the future of UW athletics

If you’re a Wisconsin Badgers fan, college football fan, or Big Ten fan, this episode is packed with debate, history, and discussion about where Wisconsin football is headed next.

Subscribe for more Wisconsin Badgers football coverage, basketball analysis, recruiting talk, NIL discussion, CFP debates, and live shows from ESPN Madison & ESPN Milwaukee.

The future of Wisconsin athletics is officially in motion.

The Wisconsin Badgers announced the nine-person committee tasked with selecting the university’s next athletic director — and the names are drawing major reactions. From Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard to former Badgers stars Michael Finley and Meghan Duggan, who will have the biggest influence on the future of UW athletics?

On this episode of The Jump Around with Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch, we break down:

Wisconsin’s newly announced AD search committee

Which committee member matters most

Whether Badger fans should trust this process

What traits Wisconsin SHOULD prioritize in its next athletic director

What the search says about the future of football and basketball at UW

Evan Cohen joins the show to discuss the committee and search process

Clip of the Week reactions

Twitter Portal featuring the latest Wisconsin & college athletics takes

If you’re a Wisconsin Badgers fan, this is a huge moment for the future of UW football, basketball, recruiting, NIL, and the direction of the athletic department.

Subscribe for more Wisconsin Badgers coverage, live debates, recruiting talk, football and basketball analysis, and daily content from ESPN Madison & ESPN Milwaukee.

Are the Wisconsin Badgers being underrated heading into 2026? On this episode of The Jump Around, we break down where Wisconsin truly belongs in the Big Ten after being projected as low as #14 by major outlets. Is the national perception fair... or way off?? We also kick off our Athletic Director search series with a deep dive into Shawn Eichorst: the Wisconsin native and current Texas deputy AD with ties to Barry Alvarez.

Plus:

-Reacting to Tyrese Haliburton's comments about Donovan Davis and Wisconsin basketball in-state recruiting 👀

-24-team College Football Playoff debate 🔥

-Twitter Portal: Best Badgers takes of the week

🏈 SPECIAL GUEST:

Former Wisconsin OL Rob Havenstein joins the show after retiring from an 11-year NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams, including a Super Bowl title. Havenstein reflects on his career, Wisconsin roots, and what’s next.

For the first time since 1978, Wisconsin football had ZERO players drafted in the NFL Draft… 😳

Is this rock bottom for Wisconsin Badgers football under Luke Fickell — or is there reason for optimism?

On this episode of The Jump Around, we break down:

What the “no draft picks” reality means for the program

Key takeaways from spring practice (including major OL improvement 👀)

Why the defense may still lead the Badgers in 2026

Greg Gard’s thoughts on NCAA Tournament expansion

PLUS: Exclusive interview with Nyzier Fourqurean — former Wisconsin CB and current Los Angeles Rams UDFA — on his journey, the NCAA situation, and what’s next!

📺 The Jump Around — your home for Wisconsin sports coverage on ESPN Madison & ESPN Milwaukee

Big news for Wisconsin basketball - John Blackwell is heading to Duke, while Nolan Winter is staying a Badger for life… and the fanbase is split.

On this week’s episode of The Jump Around, we dive into:

Blackwell to Duke reaction — are you rooting for him or not?

Comparing John Blackwell vs Nolan Winter’s legacy at Wisconsin

Rapid-fire “one word” breakdown of every major Wisconsin program

Big Cat’s comments — does Wisconsin need to lean into donors more?

Throwback uniforms & fan debates in the Twitter Portal

💪 PLUS: Wisconsin Football Strength Coach Brady Collins joins the show

Offseason changes to the program

Player development for the NFL Draft

Growth of the Badgers this spring

🔥 A packed episode covering BOTH Wisconsin basketball & football.

The Jump Around is LIVE with the latest on the Wisconsin Badgers, including the ongoing search for a new Athletic Director and the potential role of Barry Alvarez after his appearance on Wilde and Tausch yesterday...

In today’s episode, we discuss:

Should Barry Alvarez be involved in Wisconsin’s AD search?

Did the Badgers make a mistake distancing themselves from Barry?

What qualities does Wisconsin NEED in its next Athletic Director?

PLUS, Badgers legend and former AD Pat Richter joins the show

We break down everything surrounding the future of Wisconsin athletics and where the program stands in today’s college sports landscape.

Subscribe for daily Badgers coverage, interviews, and analysis from ESPN Madison & ESPN Milwaukee.