3 Biggest Questions Gus Malzahn Must Answer at SEC Media Days

SEC media days begin on Monday, meaning college football is just around the corner. One of the most harshly criticized coaches in the SEC last season was Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn, the $49 million man whose team underachieved its way to a 7-5 record. Going into this season as a talented team, Malzahn's got a lot of questions to answer next week.

3. Joey Gatewood vs. Bo Nix

The most crucial question going into Auburn's 2019 season is who the heir apparent to Jarrett Stidham will be at the quarterback position. Gatewood, a redshirt freshman and Nix, a true freshman, have split time taking first-team reps this offseason, leading us to wonder how the competition is shaping up. Malzahn surely won't tell us who will start week one, but he could at least provide some clarity into the current state of the race.

2. Will the offense be updated this year?

Malzahn has taken significant heat in the past for his simplistic and predictable offense and the negative effects it has on his players' NFL readiness. As an offensive-minded coach, it's crucial to adapt to the changes in the game and be able to rework your playbook. Malzahn needs to tell us whether he's ready to make some changes –– if not, he may be out of town come this time next offseason.

1. Can this team compete for a CFP berth?

Malzahn bagged one of the top recruiting classes in the country this season, and despite a tough season last year, he's only two campaigns removed from beating Nick Saban's Alabama and Kirby Smart's Georgia teams. Is this Tigers team ready to compete with the big boys in the SEC, or will it be content with another non-playoff New Years Six bowl appearance?