Jeremy Johnson, Nick Marshall both told to 'be ready'
AUBURN – Jeremy Johnson is set to start the biggest game of his life when he leads Auburn onto the field against Arkansas on Saturday.
How long Johnson will be allowed to play in Nick Marshall's role is still unclear with less than six days to kickoff.
Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee has told both Johnson, the former G.W. Carver star, and Marshall, the indefinitely suspended Heisman Trophy candidate, to "be ready to go and be ready to play" on Saturday.
"Don't worry about how long (you'll play), this or that," Lashlee said following practice Sunday evening. "I feel really good about the way both Nick and Jeremy have practiced the last week. Today is no different."
Lashlee deferred to coach Gus Malzahn regarding the depth chart, and how much time Johnson, who threw for 422 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions last season, will play against the Razorbacks.
Though Malzahn and Lashlee have still yet to officially name Johnson as the starter, the move is obvious and could come by Tuesday.
During an interview with AL.com on Friday, Malzahn admitted Johnson is starting.
"Like I've said before, Jeremy is going to start, but Nick's our quarterback," Malzahn said, according to AL.com. "I've made that clear. He's done a really good job during fall camp."
However, Malzahn has never stated Johnson will start, only announcing Marshall will not, as he serves an indefinite punishment for his citation for possession of marijuana in July, and No. 3 quarterback Sean White is likely going to redshirt.
The head coach can't keep track of his own charade, but Lashlee believes the ambiguity has not affected his top two quarterbacks.
"I don't have any issues with what's going on internally here," Lashlee said. "My guys know what to expect, they know what's going to happen, coach will address all kind of depth chart issues on Tuesday and I feel really good about Jeremy and where he's at. I feel really good about where Nick and where he's at. I feel really good about where our team is that. They believe in both those guys and there's no uncertainty on our team at all."
Johnson, who attended Carver's preseason game with Opelika at Cramton Bowl on Friday, has said he will be ready "if called upon"
Alabama and LSU are the only other SEC teams to officially announce their starting quarterbacks for this week's game.
"If I worried about anything about that, we'd have already done it, but we don't worry at all," Malzahn said Thursday.
(6) AUBURN VS. ARKANSAS
WHEN: 3 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn
ON THE AIR: TV – SEC Network; Radio – WMSP-AM 740, WLWI-FM 92.3
LINE: Auburn by 21