After three weeks of practice, Auburn’s biggest question going into the season remains unanswered: Who starts at quarterback?

With the Tigers coming off two straight subpar campaigns and entering an opener against a powerful opponent in Clemson, it makes sense that Gus Malzahn is taking as much time as possible to make what is arguably the biggest decision of his career.

Coincidentally, Auburn isn’t the only SEC team – or SEC West team for that matter – without a starting signal-caller yet. Meanwhile, other position battles are starting to take shape.

What’s been settled

1. The starting offensive line appears to be in order. Barring any unforeseen circumstances between now and opening kickoff, it appears the starting offensive line will be: Austin Golson at left tackle, Alex Kozan at left guard, Xavier Dampeer at center, Braden Smith at right guard and Robert Leff at right tackle. Smith and Kozan might be the best pair of guards in the SEC, while Golson started 11 games at center last season. They are now being guided by Herb Hand, who worked with Malzahn at Tulsa and has replaced J.B. Grimes, who left Auburn to become the offensive line coach at Cincinnati.

2. The defensive line and secondary are coming into focus. Defensive end Carl Lawson and tackles Montravius Adams and Dontavius Russell are all returning starters. The wild card is defensive end Byron Cowart, who was highly touted out of high school but has had a hard time living up to that billing. As a freshman a year ago, Cowart had 6 total tackles and 6 QB hurries in 12 games.

Though not as clear-cut as the D-line, the linebacking corps are shaping up. Look for junior Tre’ Williams and Illinois transfer T.J. Neal to both start; one will begin at middle linebacker and the other should man the strongside spot. It gets murky at weakside LB, where new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has his pick of Montavious Atkinson, Cameron Toney, Jeff Holland or Deshaun Davis.

3. The wide receiver spots are clearing up: Senior Marcus Davis, Auburn’s lone returning starter at wideout, should be the opening-day flanker. Another senior, Tony Stevens, is expected to be the guy at split end despite the fact that he is coming off a leg injury. Junior Jason Smith looks like the starter in the slot, while Darius Slayton and Stanton Truitt – along with Ryan Davis and some of Auburn’s other prized incoming freshman recruits – will provide depth at each position.

What’s undecided

1. Obviously, quarterback is still the biggest ongoing battle. And according to the head coach, it’s a competition that will linger for a bit longer. “I’m not ready to name a starting quarterback yet,” Malzahn told AL.com after Saturday’s practice. “There’s still very good competition. Hopefully we’ll know something in the near future, but not right now.” That competition consists of three candidates: Junior college transfer John Franklin III and returning starters Jeremy Johnson and Sean White. It’s possible that Malzahn could cut this group to two candidates before making his ultimate choice, but that remains to be seen.

2. With Roc Thomas deciding to transfer and Jovon Robinson dismissed from the team, who steps up at running back? Two of the primary candidates are sophomore Kerryon Johnson and freshman Malik Miller, who are long-time friends and former high school teammates. As a true freshman last season, Johnson compiled 753 yards from scrimmage and 3 TDs, but he’s coming off shoulder surgery that forced him to miss all of spring practice. The 6-foot, 211-pounder must prove he has the durability to be an every down back. Miller, who is also a 6-footer, outweighs Johnson by 15 pounds.

3. The starting H-back and tight end spots are still up for grabs. Jalen Harris, who remains in contention for both positions, is competing with Chandler Cox at H-back and is battling Landon Rice at tight end. Cox had 3 catches for 25 yards as a freshman last season. Rice, the younger brother of Auburn receiver Logan Rice, is a 6-foot-5, 253-pound January enrollee. Harris, who is about the same size, is looking to be a contributor during his sophomore campaign.