Badgers Face Tough Test: Top 5 Running Backs on 2026 Schedule
As the 2026 college football season approaches, the Wisconsin Badgers are preparing for a grueling slate of opponents, and the running backs they'll face could determine their success. From a breakout star at Rutgers to a two-headed monster at USC, here are the top five running backs Wisconsin must contain to stay competitive in the Big Ten and beyond.
1. Antwan Raymond, Rutgers: The Big Ten's Leading Returning Rusher
Antwan Raymond may not be a household name, but the Rutgers junior is a force to be reckoned with. After a breakout 2025 season where he logged 244 carries for 1,241 yards and 13 touchdowns, Raymond earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors. With the departure of top rushers like Emmett Johnson and Kaytron Allen to the NFL, Raymond returns as the conference's leading returning rusher and ranks ninth nationally among returning FBS players in rushing yards.
The Canadian-born back combines vision and patience, bursting through holes and making defenders miss. While not a pure burner or a major threat as a pass catcher (18 receptions for 225 yards and two touchdowns last season), Raymond is the lifeblood of the Scarlet Knights' offense. The Badgers will need to key in on him when Rutgers visits Camp Randall in Week 10.
2. Darius Taylor, Minnesota: A Gopher Poised for a Comeback
Darius Taylor's 2025 season was derailed by injuries, but the senior from Minnesota remains a dangerous weapon. Appearing in 10 games, he managed 143 carries for 670 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. Over his 28-game career with the Golden Gophers, Taylor has rushed for 2,455 yards on 5.1 yards per carry with 19 touchdowns.
Taylor is a well-rounded back, strong in pass protection and as a receiver, with 99 career receptions for 687 yards and two touchdowns. He has the potential to be the Big Ten's top back if he stays healthy. Taylor has eclipsed 100 total yards in each of his two career matchups against Wisconsin, making him a critical threat when the Badgers host Minnesota in Week 13 for Paul Bunyan's Axe.
3. Waymond Jordan and King Miller, USC: A Two-Headed Monster
USC brings a formidable one-two punch to the backfield. Waymond Jordan, a senior transfer from Hutchinson Community College, flashed his potential in 2025 with 88 carries for 576 yards (6.5 yards per carry) and five touchdowns before a season-ending ankle injury. King Miller, a redshirt sophomore, stepped up in his absence, recording 156 carries for 972 yards (6.2 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns.
Miller, at 6-foot and 225 pounds, is bigger than Jordan (5-foot-10, 210 pounds), but both share similar running styles with excellent vision and contact balance. While neither is a prolific pass catcher, they form one of the conference's top backfields. The Badgers will face this duo when USC visits Camp Randall in Week 8.
4. Carson Hansen, Penn State: A Hard-Nosed Runner from Iowa State
Carson Hansen followed head coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State, and the senior from Lakeville, Minnesota, brings a physical style to the Nittany Lions. Last season, he logged 188 carries for 952 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and six touchdowns, splitting touches with now-Wisconsin back Abu Sama. Hansen eclipsed 100 yards in each of his final five games of 2025 and has 1,771 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns over 38 career games.
At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Hansen is a hard-nosed runner who fights for extra yards. He's not a standout athlete, but his experience and production from the Big 12 should translate well to the Big Ten. The Badgers travel to Penn State in Week 4 to open conference play.
5. Wayne Knight, UCLA: A Dynamic Transfer from James Madison
Wayne Knight, a prized transfer from James Madison, rounds out the list. The redshirt senior followed head coach Bob Chesney to UCLA after a stellar 2025 season where he handled 207 carries for 1,373 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns. His 2,039 all-purpose yards set a school record and earned him AP Second-Team All-American honors.
At 5-foot-7 and 193 pounds, Knight is undersized but explosive, with the ability to break loose anytime. He also adds value as a pass catcher, with 40 receptions for 397 yards and a touchdown in 2025. The Badgers will see how his game translates to the Power Four level when they travel to Pasadena in Week 7.
What This Means for Wisconsin
Wisconsin's defense will face a gauntlet of talented running backs in 2026, from Raymond's workhorse role to Taylor's dual-threat ability and USC's two-headed monster. The Badgers must be disciplined in run defense to compete in the Big Ten and reclaim the Axe. With a mix of power backs and elusive playmakers, these five opponents will test Wisconsin's depth and toughness all season long.