
The Auburn Observer
Media & Entertainment Podcasts
Justin Ferguson and friends take you inside the stats, strategies and stories of Auburn basketball and football.
www.auburnobserver.com
Location:
Opelika, AL
Description:
Justin Ferguson and friends take you inside the stats, strategies and stories of Auburn basketball and football. www.auburnobserver.com
Twitter:
@paintsharpless
Language:
English
Contact:
3347509599
Episodes
Episode 575: Can I Kick It?
4/10/2026
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.auburnobserver.com
Justin and Dan talk Lionel Messi and Argentina in Jordan-Hare before a position-by-position breakdown of Auburn spring football. Topics for this subscribers-only podcast include:
* Donahue Drive is on the Road to 26
* just how famous is this Messi fella?
* why Byrum Brown stood out immediately
* the buzzworthiest players on both sides of the ball
* the most intriguin…
Duration:00:05:09
Episode 574: St. Elmo's Fire (or: Print the Rings)
4/8/2026
Justin returns from Indianapolis to talk with Dan about the NIT title, Kevin Overton’s return, Filip Jović’s transfer and some spring football. Topics for this episode include:
* one final rollercoaster ride to end the season
* big shots Auburn had to have
* why the NIT could serve as a springboard to success
* difficult questions about Auburn’s roster that will be answered in the offseason
* Kevin Overton’s performance in the tournament and what it means moving forward
* an offensive line breakdown from Justin
* Dan’s observations about Byrum Brown and Alex Golesh
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 — for a special discounted price of just $40 for your first year — subscribe using the button below or clicking this link.
Follow Dan (@dnpck) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) 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
Duration:01:09:38
Episode 573: Winning Fashion
4/4/2026
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.auburnobserver.com
Justin and Dan recap Auburn basketball’s NIT semifinal win over Illinois State and look ahead to Sunday night’s final vs. Tulsa. Topics for this subscribers-only podcast include:
* why this was one of Auburn’s most complete games of the entire season
* how Auburn’s defense made the Redbirds so uncomfortable
* standout performances from several Auburn players
* why …
Duration:00:05:22
Episode 572: Take a Look Around
4/1/2026
Justin and Dan talk Auburn football’s offense during spring practices and preview the Illinois State game in the NIT semis. Topics for this episode include:
* initial impressions of Byrum Brown (and some fun comparisons)
* a breakdown of the competition along the offensive line
* wide receivers that have impressed The Guys so far
* Alex Golesh’s early emphasis on the Iron Bowl
* what to expect from the Redbirds in Indianapolis
* Auburn’s newest basketball signee
* Dan thinks rings are printed instead of engraved?
* nu-metal songs that belong on the playlist at JHS
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 — for a special discounted price of just $40 for your first year — subscribe using the button below or clicking this link.
Follow Dan (@dnpck) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) 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
Duration:01:14:00
Episode 571: This Is Why
3/27/2026
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.auburnobserver.com
Justin and Dan recap Auburn’s win over Nevada, discuss the new GM, answer a couple of reader questions and talk about football vibes. Topics for this subscribers-only episode include:
* how Auburn beat Nevada with defense and toughness
* a monster night for Filip Jovic
* what advancing to the NIT Semifinal could mean for Auburn’s progra…
Duration:00:03:00
Episode 570: The New Groove
3/24/2026
Justin and Dan are back in the studio together to talk Auburn basketball’s NIT run, some spring football and all-you-can-eat wings. Topics for this episode include:
* how to make lemonade after missing the NCAA Tournament
* why inefficient games from both Pettiford & Hall didn’t sink Auburn against Seattle U
* Elyjah Freeman’s outstanding game & what his emergence could mean for the future
* “Bombs Away” Kevin Overton
* mid-major programs being particular about what they like (and don’t like) to be called
* memories of Steve and Bryce Alford at UCLA
* Auburn Football storylines to watch
* seafood restaurants on the Gulf
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 — for a special discounted price of just $40 for your first year — subscribe using the button below or clicking this link.
Follow Dan (@dnpck) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) 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
Duration:01:13:06
Episode 569: The Trifecta (feat. Adam Cole)
3/18/2026
Adam Cole tags in for Dan to talk (at length) with Justin about Auburn spring football, NIT basketball and some red-hot baseball. Topics for this episode include:
* why the first day of spring practice under Alex Golesh felt different
* the importance of culture-building in the early days
* Byrum Brown making the most early of his elevated platform
* Tree Newsom, Da’Shawn Womack and other gigantic Auburn football players
* Adam makes a point about Shamar Arnoux
* Justin buys more Jeremiah Koger stock
* how Auburn basketball shook off a slow start to beat South Alabama
* Ke’Shawn Murphy’s surprising opt-out
* Keyshawn Hall’s surprising performance
* why Auburn kept shooting all those 3s — and why they started falling
* Kaden Magwood staying right and staying ready, against the odds
* Kevin Overton’s “diplomatic honesty” and some better defense in the second half
* a brief look ahead to the Seattle game in the second round
* Adam’s breakdown of why Auburn baseball has gotten off to a crazy start
* the Tigers’ elite pitching staff and top-to-bottom offense
* Hot Dog Math
* Justin’s review of the new limited edition M&M flavors
* Adam’s story involving a five-pound Reese’s Cup
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 — for a special discounted price of just $40 for your first year — subscribe using the button below or clicking this link.
Follow Adam (@colereporter) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) 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
Duration:01:53:33
Episode 568: Recalibration
3/16/2026
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.auburnobserver.com
Dan calls Justin from an airport to discuss Auburn falling short of the NCAA Tournament — but still accepting an NIT bid. Topics for this subscribers-only podcast include:
* an explanation of why this podcast sounds different
* the Selection Committee’s decision to pick Texas over Auburn
* why the Tigers’ fate was mostly in their contro…
Duration:00:07:18
Episode 567: Call It What You Want
3/9/2026
Programming note: My grandfather passed away Sunday afternoon, so coverage plans from the SEC Tournament this week are still to be determined on The Observer side. Thank you for your understanding. -JF
Justin and Dan look back at Auburn basketball’s road loss at Alabama and look ahead to a Mississippi State rematch in the SEC Tournament. Topics for this episode include:
* how things went so catastrophically wrong in the paint and on the boards
* why Justin asked Steven Pearl about effort
* what’s behind Auburn’s new turnover problems
* why this game didn’t hinge on Alabama’s three-point shooting
* the pressure on Pearl to improve the team as the offseason draws near
* another season-on-the-line matchup with Josh Hubbard and Mississippi State
* a thrilling edition of the Wings 94.3
* Dan eats a hilarious amount of seafood and Troy WBB (and MBB!) advances to the Sun Belt Tournament finals
* Pensacola: maybe Florida’s first city?
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 or clicking this link.
Follow Dan (@dnpck) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) 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
Duration:01:14:46
Episode 566: Press Start to Continue
3/5/2026
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.auburnobserver.com
After a discussion of the Auburn women’s SECT win, Justin and Dan break down the Auburn men’s victory over LSU and the IBOB rematch. Topics for this subscribers-only episode include:
* the immediate reaction from The Guys to Auburn WBB’s victory in Greenville
* why it all started with defense (again) against LSU
* which players deserve recognition for their defense after the win on Tuesday
* the luxury of continuity when trying to build a program
* what Kevin Overton provides when he’s throwing KO Punches
* speculation about the upcoming off-season’s biggest priorities
* a brief IBOB2 Preview
* Dan shares some of his Pensacola Picks before he goes to the Sun Belt Tournament
This is a premium podcast for Observer subscribers only. You can join by clicking the button below or going to this link.
Follow Dan (@dnpck) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) on Twitter.
Duration:00:03:23
Episode 565: No Picnic
3/1/2026
Justin and Dan break down Auburn basketball’s rock-bottom home loss to Ole Miss and try to make sense of the Tigers’ February fall. Topics for this episode include:
* how Saturday was a culmination of issues that were on display all month
* why Auburn’s implosion over the last four weeks deeply wounded its NCAA Tournament hopes
* what kind of heat should be on Steven Pearl
* why every team turns into the 2015 Warriors against Auburn’s defense lately
* what made this such a disappointing stretch for Auburn’s two seniors
* what Auburn needs to do to get on the right side of the bubble
* what kind of questions will be asked this offseason
* meditations on the delicate nature of Auburn’s status as a men’s basketball superpower
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 or clicking this link.
Follow Dan (@dnpck) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) 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
Duration:01:20:28
Episode 564: No Margin For Error
2/27/2026
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.auburnobserver.com
Justin and Dan look at Auburn basketball’s do-or-die bubble situation over the next two home games after a disappointing loss at Oklahoma. Topics for this episode include:
* the sudden urgency of Auburn’s situation
* what’s changed the most over the last month
* the defensive problems that surfaced again in Norman
* why it’s especially disappointing that the team hasn’t gotten better over the course of the year
* the areas where Auburn’s defense needs to improve the most
* the risks of filling a roster with players who are new to D1 (or even SEC) basketball
* why Ole Miss presents a dangerous challenge despite having lost ten straight games
* a Troy Women’s Basketball update from Dan before the final day of the regular season in the Sun Belt
* a jam-packed Grubserver segment featuring Mexican food in Denton, pizza in Norman, and Dan getting a California pizzeria confused with a Juvenile album
This is a premium podcast for Observer subscribers only. You can join by clicking the button below or going to this link.
Follow Dan (@dnpck) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) on Twitter.
Duration:00:04:32
Episode 563: Great Power, Great Responsibility
2/22/2026
Justin and Dan dissect all the angles of Auburn basketball’s “instant classic” 1-point win over Kentucky on a phenomenal Saturday of hoops. Topics for this podcast include:
* how good things can actually happen sometimes
* why it all started with defense, again
* everything that went into the thrilling final basket
* what Auburn was able to do to get back in the game after Kentucky threatened to stop the show
* why KeShawn Murphy’s big night mattered so much
* Keyshawn Hall playing winning basketball without scoring
* the NCAA Tournament stakes of the win
* a look at the rest of a huge Saturday in college basketball
* an early preview of the two areas that will matter most Tuesday vs. Oklahoma
* RIP Rondale Moore
* your Winter Olympics update
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 or clicking this link.
Follow Dan (@dnpck) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) 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
Duration:01:18:23
Episode 562: Stark Difference
2/20/2026
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.auburnobserver.com
Justin and Dan break down Auburn basketball’s “devastating” road loss at Mississippi State and answer a couple of mailbag questions. Topics for this episode include:
* why this loss hurts so, so badly
* how Auburn clawed back into (and subsequently lost) a game that seemed over multiple times
* what Justin thinks about the team’s defens…
Duration:00:02:18
Episode 561: Gotta Get More
2/15/2026
Justin and Dan break down Auburn basketball’s road loss at Arkansas and what the Tigers need to do over the final three weeks of the season. Topics for this episode include:
* why the rematch was so different than the first time around
* what we know about Keyshawn Hall’s absence
* the implosion of any Ewing Theory potential
* who needed to step up without Hall in the lineup
* why Arkansas was so effective attacking the rim
* how Tahaad’s play continues to trend upward despite the team’s losing streak
* Auburn’s proximity to Bubbletown
* a preview of Wednesday’s pivotal game in Starkville
* a bountiful Grubserver segment, featuring Justin’s ode to beef ribs and Dan’s penchant for ordering food that attracts attention as it heads to the table
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 or clicking this link.
Follow Dan (@dnpck) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) 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
Duration:01:04:36
Episode 560: Rattle the Cage (feat. Adam Cole)
2/12/2026
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.auburnobserver.com
Justin and Dan pick out the takeaways that matter from Auburn’s loss to Vanderbilt ahead of the Arkansas trip and talk football with Adam Cole of the Montgomery Advertiser. Topics for this episode include:
* why Auburn needed more
* how Auburn trimmed the deficit to 4 in the closing minutes
* what could change before the season ends
* Keyshawn Hall’s rough night at the office and how he could rebound
* why Steven Pearl wanted to single out Elijah Freeman’s game
* some positive signs from Tahaad
* a brief preview of a road game against revenge-minded Arkansas
* the most notable and interesting stuff the guys heard from Auburn’s football coaches this week
* pizza toppings
This is a premium podcast for Observer subscribers only. You can join by clicking the button below or going to this link.
Follow Adam (@colereporter), Dan (@dnpck) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) on Twitter.
Duration:00:04:06
Episode 559: Swing, Swing
2/9/2026
Justin and Dan recap Auburn basketball’s missed opportunity of a home loss to Alabama and look ahead to a pivotal week ahead for the Tigers. Topics for this episode include:
* why the Alabama loss is particularly deflating
* why Justin wanted to start the show talking about defense
* how the game changed so dramatically in the final minutes of the first half
* Dan speculates about reasons for Auburn’s second-half struggles in SEC play
* why SWA represented the team at the postgame press conference
* Dan remembers what a Bond villain said about the difference between genius and madness (editor’s note: it’s from TOMORROW NEVER DIES)
* what to expect from Vanderbilt, another team having a rollercoaster season
* “the fickle nature of the jump shot”
* memories from Super Bowl halftime shows of yore
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 or clicking this link.
Follow Dan (@dnpck) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) 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
Duration:01:10:59
Episode 558: Five Bags of Popcorn
2/6/2026
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.auburnobserver.com
Justin and Dan preview Auburn basketball’s home showdown with rival Alabama and talk about the importance of running the dang football. Topics for this episode include:
* what needs to go right for Auburn if they’re going to protect their house
* did Tennessee provide a blueprint for Auburn’s next opponents
* a breakdown of Alabama’s pe…
Duration:00:04:41
Episode 557: A Cold Night in Food City
2/2/2026
Justin and Dan pay tribute to the legendary Phillip Marshall before looking back at the lessons Auburn learned in a loss at Tennessee. Topics for this episode include:
* a few of Justin and Dan’s favorite Phillip memories
* how a team finally matched Auburn’s physicality
* playing hard vs. playing hard and playing well
* an excellent defensive strategy by Tennessee
* what to do when your shooting is frostier than the weather
* why Auburn’s off-week arrives at the ideal time
* Dan needs recommendations for Muncie, IN
* Grubserver chatter about Justin’s visit to Botanic
* Dan and Justin share some thoughts about Catherine O’Hara
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 or clicking this link.
Follow Dan (@dnpck) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) 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
Duration:01:08:30
Episode 556: Weather the Storm
1/30/2026
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.auburnobserver.com
Justin and Dan recap Auburn basketball’s massive comeback win against Texas and look ahead to a major challenge ahead at Tennessee. Topics for this episode include:
* how things shifted so dramatically after Auburn’s uneven start
* Auburn’s eye-popping offensive stats from the second half
* Keyshawn Hall’s brilliance and how Auburn utilizes it
* Kevin Overton’s apology and subsequent domination
* Tahaad’s quest for efficiency
* what constitutes a foul inside ECW Arena
* Justin makes a bold prediction about SWA’s future
* a brief preview of the Food City Free-For-All against Tennessee in Knoxville
* a Troy Women’s Basketball update from Dan
* another thrilling installment of audience favorite The Wings 94.3 Game
* Classic Grubserver Nonsense, featuring a pizza place from the 1950s, discontinued fast food menu items, and root beer
This is a premium podcast for Observer subscribers only. You can join by clicking the button below or going to this link.
Follow Dan (@dnpck) and Justin (@JFergusonAU) on Twitter.
Duration:00:04:14