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The Jump Around

ESPN Madison

It's the return of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge talking all things Badgers football on ESPN Madison! Jim sits down with former Badgers and fellow ESPN Wisconsin hosts to discuss the biggest topics and questions surrounding Badgers football each week.

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Thursday · 57 min
Ep. 109: Wisconsin vs. USC: Can the Badgers Fix Their Offense? + Alex Erickson Joins!
Wisconsin football needs a response. After a frustrating 17–7 loss to UCLA, the Badgers return to Camp Randall to take on USC with major questions surrounding Luke Fickell, Colton Joseph, and the offense. Can Wisconsin get its offense back on track against USC? Will Colton Joseph and the passing game create a spark, or could another offensive struggle lead to changes? Former Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Alex Erickson joins The Jump Around to discuss the 2026 team, what he has seen from the receiving corps, and what he would critique about the offense. 🏈 ON THIS EPISODE OF THE JUMP AROUND: Wisconsin vs. USC: What do the Badgers need to show after the UCLA loss? Offensive Awakening? Can Colton Joseph and the passing game take advantage of an opportunity against USC? Luke Fickell and Wisconsin Football: What does the program need to show to rebuild fan confidence? Alex Erickson Joins the Show: The former Badgers wide receiver evaluates Wisconsin's receivers and offense. The Golden Ticket Idea: Could Wisconsin create a ticket for any UW athletics event to help fund NIL? Superlatives: Who is most likely to match Erickson's career-best 160 receiving yards, return a punt for a touchdown, or break out a home-run celebration? The Jump Around is your home for Wisconsin Badgers football, basketball, recruiting, and everything happening across UW athletics. 📺 Watch live on the ESPN Madison and ESPN Milwaukee YouTube channels.
Monday · 17 min
Extra: Wisconsin Football Has a BIG Problem… and UCLA Exposed It
Wisconsin football’s loss to UCLA raises some BIG questions. Was it the questionable officiating, Colton Joseph’s struggles throwing the football, Luke Fickell’s in-game decisions — or a bigger problem with the Badgers’ offense? Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch break down Wisconsin’s frustrating loss to UCLA on The Jump Around Extra. While the Badgers had legitimate reasons to be upset with several penalty calls, the guys explain why Wisconsin still didn’t do enough to win the game. The discussion covers Colton Joseph’s passing struggles, the lack of a consistent running game, Wisconsin’s missed opportunities on fourth down, and the coaching decisions that may have cost the Badgers a chance to get back into the game. They also examine the defense’s struggles getting off the field on third down and what the loss means for Luke Fickell and the rest of the season. With tough matchups ahead, the big question is whether Wisconsin football is making enough progress — and whether the offense can improve enough to compete consistently in the Big Ten. In this episode: Why Wisconsin lost to UCLA despite questionable officiating Is Colton Joseph’s passing becoming a major concern? Why the Badgers can’t establish a consistent running game Did Luke Fickell make the right fourth-down decisions? Wisconsin’s missed opportunities and costly sacks Why the defense struggled to get off the field on third down Are the Badgers making enough progress under Fickell? What the UCLA loss means for the rest of Wisconsin’s season Join Jim and Riley for honest Wisconsin Badgers football analysis, postgame reaction and debate on The Jump Around Extra. Subscribe for more Wisconsin football coverage, Badgers analysis, interviews and discussion from ESPN Madison.
October 15 · 57 min
Ep. 108: Wisconsin vs. UCLA: Could a Win Put the Badgers in CFP Conversation? + Darrell Bevell Joins!
Can Wisconsin football pull off a massive upset at No. 12 UCLA—and put the Badgers into the College Football Playoff conversation? Wisconsin heads to Pasadena to face an undefeated UCLA team with a major question at quarterback. The Badgers have an opportunity to win their fifth straight game and improve to 3–0 in Big Ten play. But what would a victory really mean for Luke Fickell and Wisconsin football? On this episode of The Jump Around, we break down the Wisconsin vs. UCLA matchup, debate the Badgers' chances of making a bigger statement, and discuss how close Wisconsin could be to the College Football Playoff conversation. 🏈 Wisconsin vs. UCLA Preview - What would a win over No. 12 UCLA mean for Wisconsin? - Can the Badgers extend their winning streak to five games? - Can Wisconsin reach 3–0 in Big Ten play? - Wayne Knight vs. the Wisconsin run defense: who has the advantage? 🔥 Could Wisconsin Make a College Football Playoff Push? - Barry Alvarez believes a win could put Wisconsin into the top-12-to-14 conversation - How close are the Badgers to becoming a fringe CFP contender? - Could Wisconsin compete for the Big Ten title? 🎙️ Darrell Bevell Joins The Jump Around - The former Wisconsin quarterback reflects on his time with the Badgers - Winning the Rose Bowl and being coached by Barry Alvarez - His lasting connection to Wisconsin and the program - Coaching perspective ahead of Wisconsin's matchup with UCLA 🏆 This Week's Superlatives - Who is most likely to score a special-teams touchdown? - Who could force a fumble near the sideline? - Who is most likely to make a game-winning play on a two-point attempt? Subscribe to The Jump Around for Wisconsin Badgers football, Big Ten coverage, game previews, postgame reactions, recruiting, interviews, and more from ESPN Madison and ESPN Milwaukee.
October 8 · 1 hr 6 min
Ep. 107: Wisconsin Football Is Finally Rolling… Can the Badgers Keep It Going? + Rob Havenstein Joins!
Wisconsin football is riding its first four-game winning streak of the Luke Fickell era. Can the Badgers keep it going? Coming off a dominant 31–3 win over Michigan State, Wisconsin enters the heart of its Big Ten schedule with plenty of momentum. On this episode of The Jump Around, we recap the Badgers' latest win and discuss what Wisconsin needs to continue building on as the second half of the season approaches. On this episode: 🏈 Building on the Bye Week What did Wisconsin's 31–3 win over Michigan State tell us? The Badgers' first four-game winning streak of the Luke Fickell era What has improved for Wisconsin? What still needs to improve? Can the Badgers carry their momentum into the heart of the Big Ten schedule? 🔥 Week 6 Superlatives Who is most likely to earn First-Team All-Big Ten honors? Who has been Wisconsin's most important player? Who is the biggest stock riser heading into the second half? Who is the most surprising team in the Big Ten? Who is most likely to win the national championship? 🏀 Greg Gard & Wisconsin Basketball Greg Gard discusses Wisconsin being picked 11th in the Big Ten preseason poll How difficult is it to rank teams after so much roster turnover? Riley shares his thoughts after attending media day 🏈 Rob Havenstein Joins The Jump Around The former Wisconsin All-American and Super Bowl champion joins the show His thoughts on the 2026 Badgers How does he feel about Wisconsin's offensive line? Does he trust the Badgers' offense to keep building momentum? Subscribe to The Jump Around for Wisconsin Badgers football, Wisconsin basketball, Big Ten coverage, interviews, recruiting, game reactions and more from ESPN Madison and ESPN Milwaukee.
October 5 · 14 min
Extra: Wisconsin Football Is Entering a NEW ERA… Are You In?
Wisconsin football is starting to feel different. Are Badgers fans ready to jump back in? Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch discuss the excitement surrounding Wisconsin football after its recent run of success and whether the Badgers are entering a new era of Wisconsin football. Riley believes now is the time for Wisconsin fans to jump back in, especially with the Badgers showing they have what it takes to compete and with massive opportunities against UCLA and USC still ahead. He also wants Camp Randall packed when USC comes to Madison in what could be a ranked matchup. The guys also look ahead to what's next for Wisconsin, including the bye week, getting healthy, improving the running game and giving young players more opportunities. In this segment: 🦡 Is Wisconsin football entering a new era? 🔥 Why Riley thinks Badgers fans should jump back in 🏟️ Why Wisconsin needs Camp Randall packed for USC 📈 What the Badgers need to improve during the bye week 🏃 Why fixing the running game remains a priority 💪 Getting healthy before the next stretch of the season 🌟 Why the guys are more excited about Wisconsin football than they have been in a long time 🏆 Can the Badgers continue building toward the “glory days”? The Badgers have already changed the conversation. Now comes the chance to prove this is more than just a hot streak. Subscribe for more Wisconsin Badgers football reactions, analysis, interviews and debate from The Jump Around.
October 1 · 46 min
Ep. 106: Wisconsin Beat Penn State: Moment or MOVEMENT? + Matt Lepay & Jack Cichy Joins!
Wisconsin shocked No. 13 Penn State 24–20 in Happy Valley. But was it just a moment—or the beginning of a movement? On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge, Riley Jauch, and Matt Lepay react to Wisconsin's massive upset at Penn State and debate whether the Badgers have finally taken a meaningful step forward under Luke Fickell. The Badgers are now 3–1, and the energy around the program is higher than it has been during the Fickell era. But can Wisconsin build on the Penn State win, or will it ultimately become the peak moment of the 2026 season? On this episode: 🏈 Moment or Movement? Was the Penn State win a true turning point? Did Wisconsin take a legitimate step forward? Can the Badgers sustain the momentum from Happy Valley? Is Penn State the beginning of something bigger—or the peak of the season? 🎙️ Matt Lepay Returns The Wisconsin Hall of Famer and voice of the Badgers returns His biggest takeaways from the first month of the season What happened during Wisconsin's 24–20 win at Penn State What does Wisconsin need to accomplish in October? 🔥 Jack Cichy Joins The Jump Around What "3-Sack Jack" has been up to His thoughts on the 2026 Badgers Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano: Is Wisconsin's next great linebacker duo already here? What Cichy sees from the current Wisconsin defense 🏆 Week 5 Superlatives Who will force multiple turnovers against Michigan State? Who is most likely to help Wisconsin clinch a shutout? Who will have a "3-Sack Jack" type of performance? Subscribe to The Jump Around for Wisconsin Badgers football, Big Ten coverage, interviews, game reactions, recruiting, and more from ESPN Madison and ESPN Milwaukee.
September 29 · 22 min
Extra: Wisconsin Football Just Changed the Narrative… Now What?
Wisconsin football just pulled off one of the biggest wins of the Luke Fickell era. But was the 24-20 comeback over Penn State a turning point — or just a great Saturday? Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch react to Wisconsin's incredible comeback against Penn State and break down what the win means for the Badgers moving forward. Wisconsin trailed by 10 with just over eight minutes remaining before scoring 14 points in the final 3:30 to steal the victory. Colton Joseph struggled for much of the afternoon before catching fire late, while the defense continued to give Wisconsin a chance and the Badgers found a way to win a game that appeared to be over. But now comes the bigger question: Was Penn State a moment, or is this actually a change in Wisconsin football? Jim and Riley debate what the Badgers need to prove against Michigan State, why the standard has changed after beating Penn State, and whether Wisconsin can finally learn how to handle success after years of struggling to find it. In this segment: 🦡 Wisconsin's stunning comeback over Penn State 🔥 Colton Joseph's wild fourth-quarter performance 💪 Darian Dupree's breakout performance 🛡️ Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano continuing to lead the defense 🏈 Why Wisconsin's offensive line deserves major credit 🤔 Was Penn State a moment or a marker of change? 📈 Why the Badgers' standard has changed 🎢 The highs and lows of the Colton Joseph experience 🏃 Why Wisconsin's running game could still determine the team's ceiling 🔥 Can the Badgers handle success against Michigan State? The Penn State win proved Wisconsin can beat a high-quality opponent. Now the Badgers have to prove they can do it week after week. Subscribe for more Wisconsin Badgers football reactions, analysis, interviews and debate from The Jump Around.
September 24 · 1 hr 1 min
Ep. 105: Wisconsin vs. Penn State - MUST-WIN for the Badgers? + Matt Bernstein Joins!
Wisconsin football finally enters Big Ten play. Can the Badgers pass their biggest test yet at Penn State? The non-conference schedule is over, and Wisconsin heads to Happy Valley for its first Big Ten game of the 2026 season. On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch debate how important this game really is and whether the result could change the way we view the Badgers for the rest of the season. On this episode: 🏈 Wisconsin vs. Penn State How important is Wisconsin's first Big Ten game? Is this a must-win for the Badgers? Will the result determine how Wisconsin is viewed for the rest of the season? How does Wisconsin compare with Penn State in the NIL era? 🔥 Can Wisconsin's Offense Keep Up? Wisconsin's surprising wide receiver production Malachi Coleman and Tyrell Henry emerging as big performers Can the Badgers' passing game survive against Penn State? Will Wisconsin finally get its running game going? Is the lack of rushing holding the offense back? 🏆 Week 4 Superlatives Who is most likely to break a record? Who will get the first pick-six? Who is most likely to gain 100 total yards? 🎙️ Matt Bernstein Returns Former Wisconsin fullback Matt Bernstein joins The Jump Around to look back at his incredible 2004 performance against Penn State, when he rushed for 123 yards on 27 carries in Wisconsin's 16-3 victory. 📺 Plus: The debut of The Jump Around Extra: Roommates Edition with Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano Twitter Portal featuring the latest Wisconsin and college athletics conversations Subscribe for Wisconsin Badgers football, Penn State coverage, Big Ten football, game previews, interviews, recruiting, and more from The Jump Around on ESPN Madison and ESPN Milwaukee.
September 24 · 44 min
Inside Wisconsin Football With Mason Posa & Cooper Catalano | The Jump Around: Roommate Edition Ep. 1
Wisconsin Badgers linebackers Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano join Riley Jauch for the debut episode of The Jump Around: Roommates Edition, going inside Badgers football, their life as roommates and everything that happens away from Camp Randall. Fresh off Wisconsin’s 54-10 win over Eastern Michigan, Posa breaks down his first career interception while Catalano takes us inside his 10-yard scoop-and-score touchdown. The roommates explain how they've grown as linebackers, what they’ve learned from the Wisconsin coaching staff and how they're preparing for Big Ten play at Penn State. But Roommates Edition goes well beyond football. Mason and Cooper reveal their apartment arguments, golf obsession, Wii golf “Masters,” prank wars, locker-room trash talk, who’s easiest to mess with on the Badgers and why Mason thinks he could beat Luke Fickell in a wrestling match. Plus, they debate Jordan Love vs. Bo Nix and share what life inside the Wisconsin football locker room is actually like. CHAPTERS 0:00 Welcome to Roommates Edition 0:28 Posa’s INT vs. Catalano’s scoop-and-score 5:14 How Posa & Catalano have grown as linebackers 11:14 Could Mason Posa beat Luke Fickell in wrestling? 14:57 Badgers golf stories & roommate competitions 21:05 What Posa & Catalano are REALLY like as roommates 37:05 Wisconsin’s defense & preparing for Penn State Subscribe for more Wisconsin Badgers coverage and exclusive conversations with the players, and listen anytime on the ESPN Wisconsin App. #WisconsinBadgers #BadgersFootball #WisconsinFootball #MasonPosa #CooperCatalano #TheJumpAround #BigTenFootball #OnWisconsin
September 21 · 14 min
Extra: Wisconsin Finally Showed What It Can Be. Now Comes Penn State
Was this the Wisconsin football team we've been waiting to see? Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch react to the Badgers' 54-10 win over Eastern Michigan, a game that finally gave Wisconsin fans a glimpse of what this team can be. After a shaky opening quarter, Wisconsin exploded offensively and dominated the rest of the game. Colton Joseph bounced back from an early interception to throw for a huge afternoon, while Tyrell Henry set a Wisconsin single-game record with 14 receptions for 160 yards. The defense also turned the game around with a flurry of takeaways, including interceptions from Mason Posa and Matt Jung and a fumble recovery touchdown from Cooper Catalano. For the first time this season, Jim and Riley saw the version of the Badgers they've been talking about all offseason. But does a 54-10 win over Eastern Michigan prove Wisconsin is ready for No. 13 Penn State? Not necessarily. The guys discuss what the victory actually tells us about the Badgers — and why the next game will be the real test. In this Jump Around Extra: 🦡 What Wisconsin finally showed against Eastern Michigan 💥 Colton Joseph's massive bounce-back performance 🔥 Tyrell Henry's record-setting game 🛡️ Mason Posa, Cooper Catalano and the Badgers' opportunistic defense 🏈 Why the response after a terrible first quarter may matter more than the final score ⚠️ The one major concern: Wisconsin's running game 📈 Why the Badgers now have a “proof of concept” 🏟️ What the Eastern Michigan win means heading into Penn State The Eastern Michigan game didn't prove that Wisconsin is a good team. But it did prove the Badgers can be a good team. Subscribe for more Wisconsin Badgers football reactions, analysis and interviews from The Jump Around.
September 17 · 51 min
Ep. 104: Wisconsin Spends $30M on Football… So What Are the Expectations? + Collin Wilder Joins!
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? Subscribe to The Jump Around for Wisconsin Badgers football, Wisconsin basketball, recruiting, Big Ten coverage, college football analysis, interviews and more from ESPN Madison and ESPN Milwaukee.
September 15 · 26 min
Extra: The BIGGEST Problem With Luke Fickell at Wisconsin
Wisconsin football is 1-1, but The Jump Around crew has some serious questions after the Badgers' uneven performance against Western Illinois. The defense and special teams deserve plenty of credit, but the biggest concerns are on offense — particularly Colton Joseph, the running game and Wisconsin's ability to find consistency. Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch discuss Joseph's accuracy, his ability to stay healthy while using his legs and why his performance could ultimately define Wisconsin's ceiling this season. But the bigger conversation is about Luke Fickell and Wisconsin's identity. Fickell described the Badgers as “arrogant and delusional” when explaining why the team struggled to maintain its early momentum against Western Illinois. The Jump Around crew breaks down what Fickell meant — and whether his mentality and coaching philosophy are actually the right fit for Wisconsin. They also debate what Wisconsin's identity has historically been, whether the Badgers need more of an underdog mentality and whether Fickell's approach can work in Madison. Plus, a closer look at Abu Sama, the Wisconsin running back room, the defense, special teams and what the Badgers need to show against Eastern Michigan.
September 10 · 54 min
Ep. 103: Montee Ball on Wisconsin Football + Aaron Stecker Previews Western Illinois
Montee Ball joins The Jump Around to discuss Wisconsin football following the Badgers’ loss to Notre Dame, his thoughts on the 2026 team, areas that need improvement, and which Wisconsin running back he’s most excited to watch. We’ll also welcome former Wisconsin and Western Illinois running back Aaron Stecker ahead of Saturday’s matchup. Stecker shares his experience playing for both programs and discusses the upcoming game. Plus, Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch reacts to Barry Alvarez’s comments on the Notre Dame loss, play a Wisconsin football superlatives game ahead of Western Illinois, and bring you the latest Wisconsin sports conversation from the Twitter Portal. In this episode: 🏈 Montee Ball reacts to Wisconsin’s loss to Notre Dame 🏈 What Ball likes about the 2026 Wisconsin Badgers 🏈 Which Wisconsin running back could break out 🏈 Aaron Stecker previews Wisconsin vs. Western Illinois 🏈 Stecker’s experience playing for Wisconsin and Western Illinois 🏈 Reaction to Barry Alvarez’s comments 🏈 Superlatives vs. Western Illinois Subscribe for more Wisconsin Badgers football, Wisconsin athletics, recruiting, Big Ten coverage, game previews, reactions, and interviews.
September 8 · 30 min
Extra: Can Wisconsin Football Win Back Its Fans?
Can Wisconsin football win back its fans? Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch discuss the Badgers' response to the Notre Dame loss, the pressure on Luke Fickell, and whether Wisconsin can still turn the 2026 season into something fans can believe in. The guys debate whether the Badgers have shown enough to earn back fan confidence, why the next few weeks matter, and what a strong stretch of football could mean heading into the Penn State game. In this segment: 🦡 Can Wisconsin football win back its fans? 🏈 Why Riley is still choosing to believe in the Badgers 🤔 Why Jim is skeptical about Wisconsin's ability to climb out of its hole 📈 How a strong stretch of games could change the narrative 💪 Why the Badgers need to respond after Notre Dame 🏟️ What fan attendance and ticket prices might say about confidence in the program 🔥 Whether Wisconsin can build momentum heading into Penn State 🏆 Why the best thing for Wisconsin is still for Luke Fickell to turn the program around Is Wisconsin football still capable of turning this season around? Let us know what you think in the comments. Subscribe for more Wisconsin Badgers football coverage, analysis, interviews, and debate from The Jump Around.
September 3 · 1 hr 10 min
Ep. 102: Can Wisconsin Pull Off ANOTHER Lambeau Upset vs. Notre Dame? + Matt Lepay & Mike Golic Jr.
Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame at Lambeau Field is finally here. Can the Badgers pull off another historic upset? On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge, Riley Jauch, & Matt Lepay get you ready for Sunday's Wisconsin–Notre Dame season opener with matchup analysis, game superlatives, a flashback to Wisconsin's unforgettable 2016 upset, and insight from former Notre Dame offensive lineman Mike Golic Jr. We'll debate: 🏈 Notre Dame Superlatives Who will be the first Badger to perform the Lambeau Leap? Who is the most important Wisconsin player? Who could be the unsung hero? Where is Wisconsin's biggest matchup advantage? What would qualify as a statement moment? 🏈 2016 Flashback Looking back at Wisconsin's upset of No. 5 LSU at Lambeau Field What made that Badgers team so successful? Can Wisconsin replicate the formula from that 2016 upset? 🏈 Chalk Talk with Lepay How can Wisconsin keep Notre Dame competitive? What needs to happen offensively and defensively? Which players and moments could decide the game? What's the one thing Wisconsin needs to prove in Week 1? 🏈 Notre Dame Perspective Marcus Freeman's connection to Luke Fickell from their time at Cincinnati What Freeman learned from Fickell and has brought to Notre Dame Former Notre Dame offensive lineman Mike Golic Jr. joins The Jump Around to preview the matchup and give his perspective on the Fighting Irish Subscribe to The Jump Around for Wisconsin Badgers football, Notre Dame coverage, Big Ten football, college football analysis, interviews and more from ESPN Madison and ESPN Milwaukee.
August 27 · 53 min
Ep. 101: Wisconsin's 2026 Schedule: Notre Dame & the Games That Could DEFINE the Season
Which game could make or break Wisconsin's 2026 football season? On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch break down the Wisconsin Badgers' 2026 schedule and hand out our biggest game-day superlatives. From the best win and worst loss to the biggest trap game and potential season killer, which matchup will ultimately define Wisconsin's season? We also discuss: • Wisconsin's 2026 schedule from top to bottom • The best win on the Badgers' schedule • The worst potential loss • Wisconsin's biggest statement game • The toughest game of the season • The biggest trap game • The must-win matchup • The most exciting and most underrated games • The potential season killer • Which game could become the season-defining matchup Plus, we dive into the changing economics of college football and what it takes to build a contender: • Why professional athletes are attempting to return to college football • Whether college football can now offer more money than an NFL practice squad • Reports that some college football programs are spending nearly $50 million on their rosters • Quarterbacks earning $3.5 million or more at numerous Power 4 programs • Wisconsin reportedly committing around $25-30 million to its roster • Does Wisconsin's investment make you more confident the Badgers can compete? And Jim Polzin of BadgerExtra and the Wisconsin State Journal joins The Jump Around to share his biggest observations from Wisconsin fall camp, the position battles to watch, and what he's learned about the 2026 Badgers. Subscribe for Wisconsin Badgers football, recruiting, Big Ten analysis, NIL and roster spending discussion, fall camp coverage, and more from The Jump Around on ESPN Madison and ESPN Milwaukee.
August 20 · 1 hr 3 min
Ep. 100 - Why Wisconsin Football's Offense Is BETTER Than You Think + Bradie Ewing Joins!
Wisconsin football fans saw one rough open practice and immediately hit the panic button 🚨—but is the concern actually justified? Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch push back on the doom and gloom surrounding the Badgers offense and explain why the talent, depth and upside look **significantly different in 2026**. How much better can Colton Joseph and the offense be? Could Wisconsin realistically win **8 or 9 games** if everything clicks? 👀 And with major investment in the roster, how high should expectations be for Luke Fickell and the Badgers this season? Plus, the guys debate which era truly represents the **golden age of Wisconsin football** 🌹, celebrate Matt Lepay joining the ESPN Wisconsin team and tackle whether the Badgers actually have a puncher’s chance against Notre Dame. Then, former Badgers fullback **Bradie Ewing** joins Riley to go inside Wisconsin’s renewed push to reconnect former players with the program. Ewing shares how Badgers legends are getting involved at fall camp, what he’s seeing from the 2026 roster and why this team’s size, physicality and running back room have him excited for what’s ahead. 🦡 **Are Badgers fans sleeping on how much better Wisconsin could be in 2026? 🔥** Subscribe for more Wisconsin Badgers coverage and listen live and on demand on the ESPN Wisconsin App.
August 13 · 1 hr 10 min
Ep. 99 Is 8 Wins Enough to Save Luke Fickell at Wisconsin? + Justin Williams of The Athletic Joins!
Is 8 wins enough for Luke Fickell to keep his job at Wisconsin? There is renewed excitement around Wisconsin football heading into the 2026 season. The Badgers have a revamped roster, expanded resources, an easier schedule, and a quarterback in Colton Joseph who believes this offense can create more explosive plays and score a lot of points. But after two difficult seasons, is that enough for Luke Fickell to turn things around? On this episode of The Jump Around, Riley Jauch and Jesse Nelson debate: 🏈Is 2026 truly a make-or-break year for Luke Fickell? 🏈 Is 8 wins enough for Fickell to keep his job? 🏈 Can Wisconsin realistically win 8 or more games this season? 🏈Why is there renewed excitement around the Badgers? 🏈What does an easier schedule mean for Wisconsin's 2026 season? 🏈Colton Joseph previews an offense built around explosiveness, big plays and scoring 🏈If Wisconsin's offense takes a step forward, how good can this team be? 🏈 Justin Williams of The Athletic joins The Jump Around to discuss Luke Fickell, Wisconsin's offseason, and the "Burn the Boats" mentality 🏈Why expanded resources and increased investment have created more confidence inside the program 🏈Can Wisconsin's offseason finally "bear fruit" in 2026? Subscribe to The Jump Around for Wisconsin Badgers football, basketball, recruiting, Big Ten news, coaching analysis and exclusive interviews from ESPN Madison and ESPN Milwaukee.
August 6 · 57 min
Ep. 98 Has Wisconsin Finally Caught Up in College Football? 👀 + Sharif Chambliss Joins!
Wisconsin football has officially unveiled the new Kellner Family Athletic Center. Is this proof the Badgers are finally catching up in the modern era of college football? On this episode of The Jump Around, Riley Jauch shares his firsthand experience touring Wisconsin's brand-new football facility and discusses what it means for the future of the program. We also discuss: 🏈 Wisconsin unveils the Kellner Family Athletic Center 🏈 How important elite facilities are in today's college football landscape 🏈 Whether Wisconsin is finally embracing the NIL era 🏈 Biggest takeaways from the first day of Badgers fall camp 🏈 Which players stood out during practice 🏈 The biggest questions facing Wisconsin before Notre Dame at Lambeau Field 🏈 Jeff Grimes says Wisconsin is "more talented and deeper everywhere" 🏈 Is this the deepest roster of the Luke Fickell era? 🏈 Twitter Portal featuring the latest Wisconsin and college football discussions 🏀 Wisconsin assistant coach Sharif Chambliss joins the show to discuss the Badgers basketball roster, defensive identity, and building a "hungry and humble" culture Subscribe for Wisconsin Badgers football, basketball, recruiting, NIL, Big Ten analysis, and exclusive interviews every week on The Jump Around from ESPN Madison and ESPN Milwaukee.
July 30 · 34 min
Ep. 97 Luke Fickell Feels Different... Should Wisconsin Fans Believe Again? | The Jump Around
Did Luke Fickell change the conversation around Wisconsin football? On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch traveled to Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago to hear directly from Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell—and they came away with very different impressions. Riley believes Fickell's confidence reflects a coach who truly believes in his football team. Jim isn't convinced yet, pointing to the strength of the Big Ten and wondering whether the Badgers can climb out of the hole they've dug over the past two seasons. Plus, ESPN college football reporter Adam Rittenberg joins the show to discuss: 🏈 Why Colton Joseph could change Wisconsin's offense 🛡️ Why the defense is the Badgers' blueprint for success 📅 Why surviving September is critical after recent injury-plagued starts 📈 Wisconsin's outlook in a loaded Big Ten You'll also hear exclusive one-on-one interviews from Big Ten Media Days with Wisconsin players: Sebastian Cheeks Chris Brooks Jr. Matt Jung Can Wisconsin exceed expectations in 2026, or is there still too much ground to make up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for more Wisconsin Badgers football coverage, interviews, and analysis from The Jump Around.

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