It appears, per reports, Auburn and Hugh Freeze have their starting quarterback in Payton Thorne.

However, as Paul Finebaum pointed out, that is only the solution to half of the state’s quarterback questions as Alabama coach Nick Saban has yet to name a starter.

The SEC Network analyst couldn’t help but point that out.

“It’s remarkable that Hugh Freeze has come in – gone to the transfer portal – and now has a solid starting quarterback,” Finebaum told AL.com on Thursday. “Meanwhile, over at Alabama, Nick Saban is playing musical chairs at the most important position.”

Saban – like Freeze – has gone to the transfer portal in Tyler Buchner, the former Notre Dame quarterback. However, Saban hasn’t given any indication if there has been any separation among Buchner, Ty Simpson and Jalen Milroe.

“It makes it easy to understand why Auburn fans are so excited, while Alabama fans are looking over their shoulder at Georgia,” Finebaum quipped.

Saban is awaiting one of the current options to step up and take control of the competition.

“What I tell the quarterbacks is, ‘It’s not up to the coaches,’” Saban said during his mid-week press conference. “‘You’re looking over your shoulder to see if the coach is gonna do this or that. How about you forcing me to play you? Forcing me to play you. Force us to play you. When you get your reps and you get a chance to play you play so good we don’t have any choice but to play you rather than worrying about all this other stuff.’”

Meanwhile, Finebaum explained on “McElroy and Cubelic In The Morning” on WJOX 94.5 FM this week that eight wins could earn Freeze the conference’s coach-of-the-year honors, and seven victories would be a good season.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.