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Justin and Dan look ahead to Week 2 of the college football season and Auburn’s home opener against Ball State. Topics for this subscribers-only preview include:

* a look at Ball State’s quality compared to recent opponents

* where the Cardinals struggled in Week 1 and where they might attack in Week 2

* why this home opener should be exclusively about Auburn’s own performance

* how the wide receivers could and should get more involved this weekend

* Auburn’s need to tackle and cover better — especially down the middle

* who could the Tigers line up at safety with Champ Anthony out?

* Justin’s focus on the pass protection and cleaning up some issues there

* why Dan believes that “Omar comin” soon

* Damari Alston’s health and Jeremiah Cobb’s big-play ability

* a potential piñata party in the pass rush

* the PB&J package and the Tigers’ tight end usage

* a reasonable goal for the turnover battle

* a journey through the Week 2 schedule across college football

* the SEC-adjacent games that you should watch Saturday

* an ObservFour of Alabama high school football mascots

* THE FIGHTIN’ TATERS

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It’s the third annual Auburn Grubserver podcast episode — but the inaugural awards show. Hundreds of Observer subscribers voted for their favorite restaurants in the Auburn/Opelika area in the following categories, with Justin and Dan guiding you through the selections:

* Barbecue

* Breakfast

* Burgers

* Chicken Fingers

* Chinese

* Fine(r) Dining

* Ice Cream

* Italian

* Japanese

* Korean

* Mexican

* Pizza

* Sports Bar

* Wings

The guys also go through an In Memoriam segment for establishments that are no longer with us, along with the induction of the 2025 Grubserver Hall of Famer — joining Pannie George’s in our list of the ultimate places where you should eat if you’re visiting the Auburn area.

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Justin and Dan are back from Texas, and they decide to record a marathon episode of The Observer podcast to recap what they saw from Auburn’s 38-24 road win at Baylor and what else happened in Week 1 of college football season. Topics include:

* the vibe shift that winning this game provided for Auburn football

* Justin taking a small victory lap about his running game prediction

* why Auburn thrived, for a change, at taking what Baylor’s defense gave it

* Jackson Arnold’s decision-making and how the offense reflected his strengths

* how the Tigers’ defensive front made a big impact in this game

* the surprising struggles against defending Baylor’s passing attack

* Rayshawn Pleasant’s instant impact at kick returner

* why Amaris Williams really caught Dan’s eyes in Waco

* a strong night for Auburn’s tight ends

* how this might have been Connor Lew’s best game at Auburn

* the perfect pairing of Damari Alston and Jeremiah Cobb at running back

* the other areas to improve over the next two home games

* GUS MALZAHN, IN HIS BAG

* Alabama’s continued on-field downturn under Kalen DeBoer

* Arch Madness and everyone needing to calm down

* how Week 1 was all about running the dang ball, everywhere

* keeping an eye on what happened at Kentucky and Texas A&M

* Troy (yikes)! Rice (yay)! New Mexico (cool)! UCLA (oh no)!

* Justin and Dan’s Texas travel recap

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We made it. Let’s talk about an actual football game happening this week. Justin and Dan are previewing Auburn-Baylor. Topics for this subscribers-only podcast include:

* is Auburn’s defense going to be strong again? (we could find out early)

* why it’s important to look at the context with Baylor’s offense from last season

* who will provide the pass rush for the Tigers?

* can Auburn make its extra depth at running back count?

* Damari Alston’s time to shine after a long wait

* the extra-special importance of a turnover battle in Week 1

* Jackson Arnold taking over for his first start as an Auburn Tiger

* why Auburn needs to make its talent advantage really count in the trenches

* a turnaround in special teams play after a rough season in that department

* Dan’s plans in Waco

* Justin’s barbecue hunt in the Dallas area

* the guys’ top four U.S. states, excluding the ones where they’ve lived

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Before Justin and Dan preview Auburn vs. Baylor later this week, they go deep on some aspects of the Tigers’ roster heading into the 2025 season. Topics for this episode include:

* all the defensive “ORs” on the depth chart and what they mean

* why that Dave Aranda quote makes more sense than some Auburn fans think

* “believe it when you see it” when it comes to Auburn’s offense

* Baylor’s defensive strengths and how Auburn might have to attack them

* the pass protection questions and the commitment to the ground game

* Damari Alston’s first crack at becoming the Tigers’ new lead back

* Horatio Fields’ big preseason camp and chances at starting out wide

* why Dan thinks a sharp performance on either side of the ball could mean big things in SEC play

* why Justin is still focused on one big stat for the Auburn offense in Week 1

* Alex McPherson’s health situation

* Dan’s review of the War Eagle+ series on the 2010 national championship team

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After Justin and Dan talk about the SEC’s move to a 3-6-6 scheduling format in football, Jay Busbee of Yahoo! Sports joins the show to discuss his new book, Iron in the Blood: How the Alabama vs. Auburn Rivalry Shaped the Soul of the South. Topics for this show include:

* Justin’s victory lap for the 3-6-6 Mafia

* Dan’s correct point about how this was the only way to go to nine games

* a discussion of which team Auburn should get as its third permanent opponent

* an interesting note that Notre Dame could be adding Auburn to a future schedule

* why Jay decided to write the definitive book on the Iron Bowl… as an outsider

* Jay’s favorite Auburn wins, players and coaches to discuss

* how Shug Jordan should be a bigger name in college football history

* imagining an alternate universe where the Iron Bowl moved back to neutral sites

* Kick Six stories

* what Jay sees for the future of the Auburn-Alabama rivalry

* Justin and Dan breaking down Week Zero in college football

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Justin and Dan have plenty to talk about from a busy last few days for Auburn football both on and off the practice field. Topics for this episode include:

* why Auburn is claiming those national championships right now

* Cam Newton officially getting his jersey number retired

* how Hugh Freeze’s three-quarterback comments shouldn’t be taken too seriously

* the offensive line’s pass protection issues in the preseason

* could Auburn’s defensive front just be that good?

* the importance of running the dang ball

* Jeremiah Cobb potentially getting snaps in the slot

* injury updates and bubble wrap for key players

* who would be the next man up after Izavion Miller on the offensive line?

* the players who caught our eyes the most at Tuesday’s practice

* a deeper dive into a very versatile secondary

* Justin and Dan’s top stock risers from camp

* The Painter Sharpless Memorial Auburn Observer Subscription Scholarship Fund

* previewing The 2025 Grubserver Awards

* a nonsense finale about energy drinks, discontinued sodas and knockoff brands

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Justin and Dan return from interview sessions with Auburn’s defensive assistants and another busy practice viewing window with their thoughts on the Tigers, mainly on offense. Topics for this subscribers-only podcast include:

* the rash of injury issues at receiver and how that affected Thursday’s practice

* Jackson Arnold, Hugh Freeze and the Steve Spurrier moment

* why there should still be plenty of caution about Auburn’s offense this season

* running quarterbacks and “going live”

* the continued excellence of Horatio Fields

* a strong practice day for veteran Brandon Frazier

* a report from the big fellas on defense

* under-the-radar defensive players to watch for the rest of camp

* does this preseason remind you of any others at Auburn?

* a final reminder to vote for the Grubserver Awards

* an ObservFour of Naked Gun moments

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Justin and Dan share what they heard from Auburn’s offensive assistant coaches after the first scrimmage of preseason camp and another weekend of practices on the Plains. Topics for this episode include:

* what we heard from Friday’s scrimmage

* how Auburn’s offensive line has still got some work to do in one key area

* why running the dang ball is important for an offense led by Jackson Arnold

* Arnold’s continued progression, including Kent Austin’s thoughts

* the two leaders emerging at wide receiver

* Eric Singleton Jr. living up to the hype so far

* why Preston Howard is the one to watch at tight end

* Damari Alston’s chances of being RB1 to start the season

* what Durell Robinson and Omar Mabson II bring to the room

* the defensive players the guys would love to see on offense

* significant injury news coming out of Baylor

* why Justin thinks the opener will come down to a specific matchup

* why Dan is intrigued by what Dave Aranda is going to bring to the table

* a reminder to vote in the Grubserver Awards

* an announcement about an upcoming bonus episode

* Justin and Dan talk The Naked Gun, Weapons and Hollywood types who cross over from comedy to much more serious genres

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Let’s talk some more Auburn football — along with some Auburn basketball. Justin and Dan discuss what they’ve seen so far in this second week of preseason camp and discuss the new SEC schedule for basketball. Topics for this podcast include:

* juice, energy, effort, etc. and the Perry Thompson moment on Thursday

* why this felt …