The Auburn Observer

Auburn Undercover’s Christian Clemente and the Opelika-Auburn News’ Adam Cole join Painter to discuss football’s signing day, promise on the recruiting trail, what expectations should be moving forward, and what position Auburn bolstered most.

They also talk about who can contribute immediately, players who will be good developmental pieces, where Auburn still has work to do and players who are fun interviews.

Follow Adam (@colereporter), Christian (@CClemente247), and Painter (@paintsharpless) on Twitter.

Photo Credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.auburnobserver.com/subscribe

Justin checks in from Los Angeles to discuss a very busy Sunday in the sports world with Painter in Parts Unknown.

The guys break down what they saw from Auburn basketball’s 74-71 loss to USC. They talk about why this loss feels a lot different than the one to Memphis, where there were signs of optimism and what continues to hold Bruce Pearl’s team back before SEC play.

Then the switch over to football to discuss a loaded pre-signing day visit weekend — one that featured the commitments of FIU transfer Rivaldo Fairweather, 4-star safety Sylvester Smith and 3-star defensive lineman Stephen Johnson. They look ahead to the start of the early signing period and also talk about the shift in transfer quarterback talk from Grayson McCall to Devin Leary.

Then Justin and Painter wrap up with a few minutes of discussion about perhaps the single-greatest sporting event they’ve ever seen: Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and France.

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Follow Justin (@JFergusonAU) and Painter (@paintsharpless) on Twitter.

Photo Credit: @AuburnMBB/Twitter

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Justin and Painter open the show by paying tribute to the late Mike Leach. Then they discuss the news of the week for Auburn football — including Christian Robinson’s departure, Zykevious Walker’s decision to stay, the newest developments on the recruiting trail and the upcoming visit from Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall.

The guys then switch over to basketball, where they recap Auburn basketball’s less-than-stellar win over Georgia State. They talk about what Bruce Pearl’s Tigers need to do in order to regain momentum ahead of a huge road trip to USC and Washington.

There’s also discussion of Christmas movies and the underrated 2000s thriller Red Eye. Happy holidays.

Follow Justin (@JFergusonAU) and Painter (@paintsharpless) on Twitter.

Photo Credit: Zach Bland/Auburn Athletics

Note: Justin and Painter recorded most of this episode several hours before news broke of Auburn hiring former Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery to be its next offensive coordinator and former Baylor defensive coordinator Ron Roberts to the same position. The intro covers both of those reported hires, just in case you hear something out-of-date towards the end of the show.

The guys then break down what they learned from Auburn basketball’s first loss of the season — an 82-73 defeat at the hands of Memphis in Atlanta. What went so wrong for Bruce Pearl and his team in this matchup? Why was the defense so ineffective? And how concerned should fans be moving forward?

The back half of the episode includes our two Homefield Apparel $50 gift card giveaways, discussion of new football commitments Colton Hood and Tyler Williams and a closer look at Robby Ashford and the quarterback situation in 2023.

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Follow Justin (@JFergusonAU) and Painter (@paintsharpless) on Twitter.

Photo Credit: Steven Leonard/Auburn Athletics

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Painter breaks his phone and preemptively complains about waiting in line. Justin reminisces on his days working retail during the holiday season. That ought to tell you how the rest of the episode is about to go.

The guys talk about how the transfer portal hasn’t really affected Auburn football too much yet and who the Tigers might go after as the boards start to fill out. They also discuss the continued construction of Hugh Freeze’s coaching staff and why it’s understandable that some fans might be getting antsy.

Then they switch to a preview of Auburn basketball’s big matchup against Memphis in Atlanta on Saturday. Painter points out similarities between the two sets of Tigers, and Justin proposes that the winner of this game gets to say they were going to sign Jalen Green if he didn’t go the G League route. There’s also talk about basketball scheduling and how to fix the Heisman Trophy ceremony.

Justin and Painter open the show by recapping Auburn basketball’s decisive win over Colgate. Why were the Tigers so effective on offense? Who stood out in the big victory? Where could Auburn have been even better? And will Painter use this as an opportunity to further communicate his fears about the Tigers’ shooting ability? (Yes.)

Then the guys are joined by Christian Clemente of Auburn Undercover/247Sports. Christian breaks down who and where to watch when it comes to Hugh Freeze and his new Auburn football staff’s strategy in the transfer portal and in the rest of the 2023 recruiting cycle. They also talk all about the playoffs — the CFP and, of course, the vastly more important FCS ones.

Listen to the episode to learn how you can enter for a chance to win a $50 Homefield Apparel gift card and how buying a gift subscription to The Observer can turn into free months on your own subscription during the holiday season.

If you’re receiving this free podcast episode and would like to upgrade to a paid subscription that gives you access to all stories — including the 2023 Football Roster Tracker — and premium podcast episodes, subscribe using the button below or clicking this link.

Follow Christian (@CClemente247), Justin (@JFergusonAU), and Painter (@paintsharpless) on Twitter.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.auburnobserver.com/subscribe

Dave, Pablo, and Painter talk about Auburn’s newest head coach.

(This episode contains explicit language.)

Follow Dave (@DaveCMcKinney), Pablo (@PabloEscoburner), and Painter (@paintsharpless) on Twitter.

Photo Credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.auburnobserver.com/subscribe

(NOTE: This episode was recorded late Sunday afternoon. Reports surrounding Hugh Freeze’s candidacy shifted Sunday night. So, if any info sounds out of date here, that’s why.)

Justin and Painter dive into Auburn football’s coaching search after Lane Kiffin made the somewhat surprising decision to stay at Ole Miss. Who could be next in line for the Tigers, and who are some names that make sense as the search evolves?

Then the guys break down what they learned from the Iron Bowl, including the strong performances on the ground from Robby Ashford and Jarquez Hunter and the upcoming reset for a defense that had a hard time with Alabama’s star-studded attack.

The episode concludes with a recap of Auburn basketball’s comeback win over Saint Louis. How were the Tigers able to rally late, and what does it mean for a team that will get some much-needed time to recover over the next two weeks?

If you’re receiving this free podcast episode and would like to upgrade to a paid subscription that gives you access to all stories — including all of this weekend’s Observations — and premium podcast episodes, subscribe using the button below or clicking this link.

Follow Justin (@JFergusonAU) and Painter (@paintsharpless) on Twitter.

Photo Credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.auburnobserver.com/subscribe

In another double recap episode, Justin and Painter break down the big second-half performances for Auburn football in its 41-17 win over Western Kentucky and for Auburn basketball in its 72-56 win over Texas Southern.

The guys talk about what really changed for Cadillac Williams’ Auburn team after halftime and why it didn’t have a whole lot to do with adjustments. They discuss a stubborn, old-school ground game finding major success again, a defense that’s playing its best ball late in the season and a senior class that willed the Tigers to arguably their most impressive win in more than a year.

Then it’s a switch over to basketball, where Bruce Pearl’s Tigers used another second-half surge to put away an upset-minded small conference team at home. They break down what they saw out of Jaylin Williams, Chris Moore and K.D. Johnson and why there’s still plenty of reasons to be optimistic about this team before previewing the teams Auburn will face in Cancun this week.

If you’re receiving this free podcast episode and would like to upgrade to a paid subscription that gives you access to all stories — including all of this weekend’s Observations — and premium podcast episodes, subscribe using the button below or clicking this link.

Follow Justin (@JFergusonAU) and Painter (@paintsharpless) on Twitter.

Photo Credit: Austin Perryman/Auburn Athletics

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.auburnobserver.com/subscribe

Justin and Painter break down a weekend for defense-first victories on the Plains — Auburn football’s 13-10 win over Texas A&M and Auburn basketball’s 67-59 win over USF — and the unveiling of the new football performance center.

The guys talk about how the Tigers turned back the clock in a night that celebrated Cadillac Williams and nodded to the undefeated 2004 season. They discuss how Auburn’s defense was able to dominate Jimbo Fisher’s Texas A&M offense, how the offense did just enough with its explosive running game to win and how special teams helped after they hurt a week ago.

Then it’s a switch over to basketball, where Bruce Pearl’s team used elite defense and a second-half surge to put away USF for a second straight season. Justin and Painter talk about how Auburn’s offense has a lot of work to do, why Allen Flanigan and Wendell Green Jr.’s big games were huge and what can be expected from the Tigers in the Winthrop game Tuesday night.

If you’re receiving this free podcast episode and would like to upgrade to a paid subscription that gives you access to all stories — including all of the weekend’s Observations — and premium podcast episodes, subscribe using the button below or clicking this link.

Follow Justin (@JFergusonAU) and Painter (@paintsharpless) on Twitter.

Photo Credit: Zach Bland/Auburn Athletics

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.auburnobserver.com/subscribe