With the news coming out of Auburn that Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham is the team’s starting quarterback, Paul Finebaum brought on SEC Network analyst Booger McFarland to get his take on the Tigers.

McFarland said what many have suspected, that Stidham was the obvious starter once he arrived on campus. In McFarland’s opinion, the key to Auburn’s success goes back to coach Gus Malzahn.

“The more important thing that’s going to happen down there is whether or not Gus is going to get out of the way,” McFarland said on “The Paul Finebaum Show.”

“We’ve had this discussion and we’ve talked all along about the offensive system and what’s happening down in Auburn. Gus Malzahn has to become a CEO and take his hands off the offense. If he does that, the offense will be fine. And if Jarrett Stidham stays healthy, I think Auburn will be in for a good year.”

McFarland believes Auburn is the biggest challenger to Alabama in the SEC West, but only if Malzahn is hands off with the offense.

Malzahn hired Chip Lindsey this offseason as his new offensive coordinator and said that Lindsey will be in charge of play-calling.