During a Monday appearance on "The Next Round," Auburn legend and NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley predicted his alma mater would give rival Alabama an "ass-kicking" in the 2023 Iron Bowl.
Barkley pushed back against the notion that new head coach Hugh Freeze was unhappy with the team's quarterback room, saying the coach was "playing coy." He also suggested Auburn would have a "really good season."
Over the course of the spring football practice period, Freeze was outspoken about the inconsistencies he was seeing from signal callers TJ Finley and Robby Ashford, who have both started multiple games at Auburn, and freshman Holden Geriner. There is speculation Freeze could address the quarterback room in the transfer portal.
"I think he's playing coy, to be honest with you," Barkley said of Freeze. "I think we're going to have a really good season. I think he likes our quarterback room. I really do."
Barkley pointed to Freeze's efforts of coaching up former Auburn quarterback Malik Willis at Liberty and turning him into a third-round NFL Draft pick.
"[Alabama is] coming to Auburn this year, brother," Barkley emphasized. "Hey, they're coming to Auburn this year. We are ready. We are going to be locked and loaded for the Iron Bowl. I cannot wait."
"It's going to be an ass-kicking coming when they come down to the Plains," he added.
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