Former Wisconsin safety Collin Wilder joined The Jump Around to talk about what he's seen thus far from the 2026 Badgers. Wilder believes this roster is more talented than the previous Luke Fickell teams, but they need to use the formula that made Wisconsin so successful prior to the Luke Fickell era. Can this team find itself back in the category of tough teams to play, no matter if they're ranked or not? Will they get back to a bowl game and have the extra player development period that it allows?

Wisconsin football is reportedly spending around $27–31 million on its roster. So what should Badgers fans expect in return?

On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch break down Wisconsin's place among the Power 4 in roster spending and ask what that investment should mean for the Badgers' 2026 season.

We also welcome former Wisconsin safety Collin Wilder back to the show to discuss the Badgers' start to the season, what gives him hope that this team can be better than outside expectations suggest, and what he's looking for from Wisconsin ahead of the Eastern Michigan game.

On this episode:

🏈 Collin Wilder Returns

His thoughts on Wisconsin's start to the 2026 season

Why he believes the Badgers could be better than many expect

What gives him hope about this Wisconsin team

What he wants to see from Wisconsin against Eastern Michigan

💰 Wisconsin's $30M Roster

The Athletic's college football roster-spending data

Wisconsin's estimated $27–31 million roster

Which Big Ten teams spend the same or less than Wisconsin

UCLA, Maryland, Michigan State, Rutgers, Minnesota, Iowa and Purdue

Are these games Wisconsin NEEDS to win?

What would the results in those games tell us about the Badgers?

🔥 Week 3 Superlatives

Which Wisconsin player will make a SportsCenter Top 10 play?

Which defensive player will have a "3-sack Jack" moment?

Which receiver will post a "Randy Moss" stat line?

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Hammer, Emmett, & Andre talk Browns' QB situation and Guards late season push. Plus, Aaron, "Drops The Hammer."

Recapping comments from Barry Alvarez on the Wisconsin student section and running up the score on this week's Barry Alvarez Show. Plus, a round of Did You Hear This featuring national commentary on the Green Bay Packers after their Week 1 loss to the Vikings. And Whoa Nelly! asking how much never-ending-pasta the guys could eat in one trip to a popular Italian restaurant.

Tausch asks a question on social media - which he then replies with an answer for himself with? - asking what the most undervisited place is in Wisconsin? Also, Wilde and Tausch Trivia on a Badgers Trivia Thursday (which becomes a bit of a debacle). And Matt Lepay joins for his weekly appearance as the Wisconsin Badgers prepare to host the Eastern Michigan Eagles on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.

It's the Thursday edition...and we're STILL trying to figure out how to fix the Packers offensive line issues. Any ideas? The guys dive into the state of the unit, including discussing the potential for Aaron Banks to return per Matt LaFleur. Also, we never did positives and negatives on Monday after the Vikings loss! Examining some of the positive takeaways from the Packers 39-22 loss in Minnesota.

Tommy Pham saved the Sox season... for two innings. Carmen takes over Jurko's prayer and prays for the Sox

11:20AM - PCA and Bregman carrying Cubs offense! Hannah rips on AOC for betting a PCA home run. Carmen vs Jurko Trivia: Bills themed! Ahead of the Bills game vs the Lions tonight, Jack quizzes the guys on their "bills" knowledge.

Jason Wilde joins Alex Strouf after the Packers blew a 17-point lead and allowed 29 unanswered points in a Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Jason breaks down an ugly performance from Green Bay’s offensive line, the decisions that led to Donovan Jennings and Jacob Monk starting at guard, and how much responsibility belongs with the players, coaches and Brian Gutekunst.

Plus, Jason discusses the ongoing mystery surrounding Aaron Banks, Jordan Love surviving 18 hits and showing off his unusual “fadeaway” throws, Christian Watson’s explosive return, and encouraging Week 1 performances from Keisean Nixon and Edgerrin Cooper in Jonathan Gannon’s defense. Then, a first look at what needs to change Sunday against the New York Jets.

Jason Wilde joins Alex Strouf after the Packers blew a 17-point lead and allowed 29 unanswered points in a Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Jason breaks down an ugly performance from Green Bay’s offensive line, the decisions that led to Donovan Jennings and Jacob Monk starting at guard, and how much responsibility belongs with the players, coaches and Brian Gutekunst.

Plus, Jason discusses the ongoing mystery surrounding Aaron Banks, Jordan Love surviving 18 hits and showing off his unusual “fadeaway” throws, Christian Watson’s explosive return, and encouraging Week 1 performances from Keisean Nixon and Edgerrin Cooper in Jonathan Gannon’s defense. Then, a first look at what needs to change Sunday against the New York Jets.