The Auburn Observer

Justin and Painter open one of their longest episodes to date by roasting Mike Florio’s steak on Twitter and discussing the merits of K-Pop. Then it’s a switch over to the hardwood to break down what Auburn basketball might do next after Julian Phillips’ commitment to Tennessee.

The football talk begins with a look at new Iowa State transfer safety Craig McDonald, followed by some appreciation for Colby Wooden. This week’s alternate universe journey takes the guys down a path where Russell Wilson picks Auburn in 2011, and the episode ends with a discussion of Nick Saban’s laughable claims of “parity.”

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Photo Credit: Jacob Taylor/Auburn Athletics

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Inspired by a couple of recent hit movies, Justin and Painter spend this episode examining some alternate universes from recent Auburn football and basketball history.

Topics include: What if Auburn decided to hire Kirby Smart instead of Gus Malzahn in 2013? What would have happened if LSU had won the “Six Kicks” game in 2016? How far would the Tigers have gone if they would’ve avoided those two late fumbles against Texas A&M in 2014? And what if Auburn just left the SEC?

On the hardwood, the guys discuss a few spinoff scenarios from the Final Four run in 2019 and somehow come to the conclusion that the Tony Barbee hire was ultimately a good thing in the long run for Auburn basketball. (Yeah, this episode gets crazy.) Feel free to send in your own alternate universe theories!

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

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Photo Credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics

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By popular demand, we’ve unlocked last week’s premium episode for all listeners.

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Matt Brown of the excellent Extra Points newsletter joins Justin and Painter to talk about all the off-the-field matters that are important to Auburn and the rest of college athletics.

The guys discuss Mark Emmert’s impending departure and who might make sense as the future president of the NCAA (besides Painter). Then it’s a discussion of NIL, collectives and what might be changing when it comes to college athletes getting paid. They also talk about conference realignment and when Texas and Oklahoma might be joining Auburn in the SEC.

Towards the end of the episode, Matt shares some insight on what you probably clicked on this podcast to hear about — the EA Sports College Football video game. He shares a few #scoops about the game and what you might see next summer.

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Photo Credit: @EASportsCollege/Twitter

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Justin and Painter discuss Auburn basketball’s big-time signing of Morehead State transfer center Johni Broome. They break down his game on both sides of the floor, examine how he fits into the Tigers’ frontcourt and talk about what his arrival will mean for others up front.

The guys then turn their attention to Julian Phillips, the second 5-star former LSU commitment who could be finding his way onto the Plains. They discuss Phillips’ game and consider other options Auburn could target with its final open scholarship spot.

The episode wraps up with a look back at a quiet NFL Draft for Auburn, featuring the lone pick of the Tennessee Titans-bound Roger McCreary. How much did the one-pick weekend matter for Auburn, and what does it mean for Bryan Harsin’s program moving forward?

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Photo Credit: Jacob Taylor/Auburn Athletics

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Painter opens the show with an important question on a topic close to his heart. Then, he and Justin discuss former LSU 5-star Julian Phillips’ upcoming official visit to the Plains.

The guys talk about the evolution of Auburn’s frontcourt for the upcoming season, including the roles for Allen Flanigan and Jaylin Williams. (NOTE: This episode was recorded before recent visitor Brandon Huntley-Hatfield’s commitment to Louisville on Sunday evening.)

The episode wraps up with some early thoughts on Owen Pappoe, Cam Riley, Wesley Steiner and the rest of Auburn’s linebackers heading into the summer months — along with the recent news of Marquis Robinson’s return to the Tigers.

Donate to this year’s EDSBS Charity Bowl and email a screenshot of your receipt to [email protected] to get a free month of the Observer added to your subscription.

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

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Photo Credit: Matthew Shannon/Auburn Athletics

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After a brief discussion on Easter ham and the history of brunch, Justin and Painter focus on two big-name transfer big men that Auburn basketball has in its crosshairs — Morehead State’s Johni Broome and Tennessee’s Brandon Huntley-Hatfield.

Then it’s a switch over to football, as Painter wants to know the answer to a very important question: Can the Tigers be successful in 2022 with a Tank Bigsby-led offense, given the real question marks in the passing game?

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

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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 and Painter discuss the value of sharing ice cream with people you have gotten into fights with recently. Then, more importantly, they talk about what they learned from Auburn’s 2022 A-Day Game and spring football as a whole.

The guys break down the quarterback performances, led by offensive MVP Robbie Ashford. Then they transition to the underwhelming rushing numbers and the depth situation on the offensive line before taking a look at who impressed on the defensive side of the ball.

Then it’s a look at Auburn’s latest 2023 football commitment and a couple of transfer portal additions that Bruce Pearl’s Tigers could go after in the near future.

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

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Photo Credit: Jacob Taylor/Auburn Athletics

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Disclaimer: Walker Kessler announced he was entering the NBA Draft right after this podcast was originally recorded, so there’s an intro to the intro this week — Justin and Painter discuss the big man’s decision to go pro, then launch into the original recording. There will be some comments in the main portion that are quite out of date.

Also in this episode, there’s a look back at the Final Four through some Auburn lens and a discussion of the Tigers’ raiding of LSU this early offseason. Then the guys transition to a few football topics, including Robby Ashford, Sean Jackson and Landen King.

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

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Photo Credit: Jacob Taylor/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 take the halftime break of Auburn football’s spring practices to discuss what they’ve learned so far. They look at all the confirmed injury absences to the Tigers’ starring cast and what that means for newcomers and young players trying to break through in 2022.

Then it’s a switch over to basketball, where Bruce Pearl is looking to reload his roster after the departure of Devan Cambridge and, potentially, multiple NBA draft entries. The guys look at the top priorities in transfer portal and the late deciders among the 2022 class, including 5-star big man Yohan Traore.

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

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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 and Painter break down Auburn’s 79-61 loss to Miami in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. They discuss what all went wrong for the Tigers — some surprising, some not-so-surprising — and how it led to an early exit in March.

In the second half of the episode, they look back at the big picture for the 2021-22 SEC champions and how they should be ultimately viewed in Auburn basketball history. Then they switch to the immediate future of Bruce Pearl’s program, starting with some roster changes in what should be an interesting offseason on the Plains.

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

If you’re receiving this free podcast episode and would like to upgrade to a paid subscription that gives you access to all stories and premium podcast episodes, subscribe using the button below.

Photo Credit: Matthew Shannon/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