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Nick Saban has yet to determine who will play quarterback in the season opener against USC on Sept. 3. Then again, the Alabama coach hasn't even settled on whether one or two players will be tasked with that responsibility.

"We haven't had any discussion about that yet," Saban said Thursday when asked about the possibility of using multiple quarterbacks in the first game.

Then a wry grin spread across Saban's face as the line of questioning continued.

"Like I'd tell you if we were going to," he said.

So, Alabama's state secret remains classified as fans and media members alike speculate about whether Cooper Bateman, Jalen Hurts or Blake Barnett -- and perhaps a combination involving two of them -- faces the Trojans.

Earlier in the day, former NFL executive and Crimson Tide radio analyst Phil Savage said he could envision Alabama playing both Bateman and Hurts in the opener.

But like a Hollywood director building suspense with a juicy cliffhanger, Saban didn't reveal much while doing his part to increase the drama surrounding the decision.

"It's time now that it's judgment day in terms of who we are going to coach and what we are going to do," Saban said.

Preparations for USC begin in earnest tomorrow and the coaching staff is still trying to finalize the depth chart. Of course, Saban is well aware of the position that is attracting the most interest as the roles up and down the roster are assigned.

"I know the only one you guys care to talk about is probably quarterback," he said. "It is what it is. We shared the reps with the guys, we tried to give guys a little bit more rhythm in terms of the number of reps they got to see how they respond to it. As of right now, no decision has been made on anyone in particular.

"We're going to continue to do that until somebody sort of takes the bull by the horns and does what we think he needs to do to have a chance to play winning football for us on offense. I'm not disappointed at all in the progress that any of the guys have made, but at the same time, no one has really, I think, sort of forged ahead either."

So, another day passes with no resolution. Let the speculation continue.