One of the biggest topics of Missouri’s fall camp? Corbin Berkstresser vs. Eddie Printz for the backup quarterback job.

The two played to a dead heat during the three scrimmages, at least in the eyes of the media (and in terms of statistics.) But when the team released its depth chart for the South Dakota State game, the freshman Printz sat one line below Maty Mauk.

Printz may have played microscopically better during the scrimmages and seemed like he presented the best trajectory in terms of improvement, the team said.

He earned the backup quarterback job. Right?

Well, maybe.

Definitely in name.

Coach Gary Pinkel typically attempts to schedule a few drives for his backup quarterbacks. (See: Chase Daniel, Blaine Gabbert, James Franklin and Maty Mauk.) Saturday’s game against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits should provide every opportunity.

But will Printz play?

“We haven’t decided that,” Pinkel said earlier this week, according to the Kansas City Star. “Most likely, a redshirt freshman like Eddie right now, chances are I don’t think we’ll rotate him earlier. We’ll discuss it Thursday as a staff. It remains to be seen. It’d be nice to get him in a game and let him play, but we’ll see what happens.”

The Columbia Tribune, meanwhile, reported that Printz probably won’t play against South Dakota State.

If the Tigers are up several scores in the second half, expect the team to give some run to backup running backs Ish Witter and Tyler Hunt. It may be Mauk still handing the ball off late in the fourth quarter. It’s probably not a big deal, given that there’s little risk of injury at quarterback at that point in the game.

Still, given that coaches are risk-averse and love to protect their star quarterbacks, it may be an indication that Pinkel wants to keep the bubble wrap on Printz for now.