Gus Malzahn: No chance Nick Marshall starts vs. Arkansas

AUBURN -- Though he announced as much on Aug. 1, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn reiterated quarterback Nick Marshall will not start in the season opener.

"No," Malzahn said Tuesday. "I've already said he's not going to start."

The strategy at quarterback remains unclear, as Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee refuse to name Jeremy Johnson the starter for Aug. 30.

Their insistence on ambiguity with less than 11 days to kickoff has led to ridiculous speculation that Malzahn might actually consider reversing course and start Marshall, who is indefinitely suspended as part of the punishment for his July 11 citation for possession of marijuana.

Malzahn praised Marshall's approach to fall camp on Saturday.

"I will say this, Nick's had an outstanding fall camp with his attitude, with his maturity and everything that goes with it," Malzahn said following Saturday's practice.

Lashlee didn't help those wishing to fuel the notion that Malzahn would not have the courage of his convictions, deferring to the head coach when asked on Sunday if Marshall could indeed start versus Arkansas.

Despite the obscene charade reaching new lows, Malzahn would not say what the plan is at quarterback.

Even though the Tigers began game preparations on Tuesday, Malzahn denied that's even a plan for how reps will be split between Marshall, Johnson, No. 3 quarterback Sean White and Jonathan Wallace.

"Not yet," he said. "As soon as I do I'll definitely let everybody know."