During the time this newspaper sits on the racks around campus, it is very possible a starting quarterback will finally be chosen.
The fact that it has taken this long, however, might end up hurting the Tigers this season.
At SEC Media Days this summer, I listened to senior tight end Phillip Lutzenkirchen speak about how the team lacked leadership last season and how detrimental that was to the team's performance.
This year, similar to last year, an open quarterback competition was held to determine the team's field general.
Barrett Trotter beat out now-junior Clint Moseley, but injuries and inconsistent play forced the team to start Moseley and occasionally throw then-freshman Kiehl Frazier in a wildcat role.
That didn't work then, and that means it probably won't now.
Trotter has graduated, leaving Frazier and Moseley to duel during fall practices. However, Gene Chizik and offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler continue to say there is no clear separation between the two.
Frazier has the upside, Moseley has the experience, yet neither has made any measurable headway.
This is especially surprising considering Moseley was still experiencing shoulder pain throughout most of the offseason, and Frazier did not take advantage of the increased reps.
As an Auburn fan, I want Auburn to have the best possible team on the field at all times.
For a team going into the season with new offensive and defensive systems being installed, a bevy of unproven players and without its leading rusher for the past two years, a player must be chosen to command the team.
After practice one day, Chizik said the starting quarterback must be someone who can score, protect the ball and earn the trust of the players and coaches.
The delay in choosing who will fill that role means both quarterbacks show either all of these traits or none of them.
While I don't believe the latter is the case, quarterback battles that last this long show hesitancy on the part of the coaches.
They may just be being thorough, and this is all speculation, but the fact of the matter is that this team needs a starting quarterback.
Loeffler's offense will be based on reads and communication, and an offense of that complexity necessitates a leader familiar with every play, situation and player.
Speed is crucial on the field, and not enough reps with the starting offense could result in a lack of timing on a double move or a mismanaged audible in a crucial situation.
There's an old football adage that goes "When you think you have two starting quarterbacks on your team, you probably have none."
Here's hoping we have one soon.
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