The Jump Around

Ep. 89 - Has Luke Fickell Actually Improved Wisconsin Football? 👀 + Brian Butch Joins!

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.

Ep. 88 Has Wisconsin Football Become IRRELEVANT?! 👀 | Badgers Debate Gets Real + Jim Polzin Joins!

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.

Ep. 87: 24-Team CFP?! Would Wisconsin FINALLY Have a Shot at a National Title? + LaMar Campbell joins!

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.

Ep. 86 Wisconsin AD Search HEATS UP! Did UW Pick the RIGHT Committee? + Evan Cohen joins!

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.

Ep. 85 Big Ten Power Rankings & AD Candidate Shawn Eichorst! + Rob Havenstein Joins!

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.