Aug 27, 2014 10:07 AM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The Auburn Tigers have named Jeremy Johnson the starting quarterback for Saturday's opener against the Arkansas Razorbacks, but Nick Marshall's status is still uncertain.

According to ESPN, Auburn head football coach Gus Malzahn said he and his staff has "a plan" and that Johnson and Marshall "know the plan." After announcing Marshall would sit for the start of the game as punishment for a marijuana citation, Malzahn did say last year's starter will play Saturday.

"We have a lot of confidence in [Johnson]. He knows the whole playbook," Malzahn told the Tigers' official website. "There's not one thing that I would say we're concerned about.

"Even this year, we were going to have a plan for him being a bigger factor this year than he was last year, and he's earned that, too. He's very quality and he does a lot of things that can help us win."

A sophomore, Johnson has a prototypical QB frame at six-foot-five and 230lbs and played well when given the chance last season. With 41 total pass attempts last season, Johnson completed 70 percent of his passes, threw for 422 yards and six touchdowns.

Last year, Marshall was Auburn's seventh opening day starter in as many seasons, so Johnson is set to make it eight. Heading into his senior season, Marshall was named to the preseason Heisman Trophy watch list and he can help lead the sixth-ranked Tigers back to the top of the poll after a wild ride last year.

Marshall has iterated since his citation was cleared up that he will accept whatever punishment Malzahn levies and that he is behind Johnson "100 percent."

"He's had a very good fall camp, not only on the field but as a leader," Malzahn told ESPN of Marshall. "He's ready to go when called upon."

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