In order to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.

Arkansas head coach Brett Bielema wants to beat Auburn’s best in the season-opener on Aug. 30. The fiery Razorbacks head coach told the Arkansas News he’d rather beat the Tigers with quarterback Nick Marshall under center for the whole game than with back-up Jeremy Johnson.

“Obviously, (Marshall’s) a very, very good football player,” Bielema said. “However long he stays on the sideline is obviously in their coach’s hands. But I think when we’re playing Auburn, if you’re a true competitor you want to play against the best. … That other guy is going to step in and he is a tremendous player.”

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn anointed Johnson the starter against Arkansas on Friday, the first day of fall camp. Malzahn did not indicate how long Johnson would play. Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee has not told Johnson he’s starting against the Razorbacks. Lashlee made the comment on Monday during his first availability with the media since fall camp opened.