Too bad Abbott and Costello never met this year's Gophers football team, or the famous "Who's on First?" routine might have a worthy football sequel.
"Who's at quarterback? What's at tailback? I Don't Know is coaching."
None of this is a laughing matter for the Gophers, of course, especially with Coach Jerry Kill on leave to treat his epilepsy. But it's a testament to their resilience that they are 5-2 with so much weekly uncertainty at quarterback, tailback and head coach.
Acting head coach Tracy Claeys had planned to name a starting quarterback Tuesday for this week's game against Nebraska. He sat down with the offensive staff to finalize those plans, and in walked trainer Ed Lochrie, with news that redshirt freshman quarterback Mitch Leidner was sick.
Leidner is taking antibiotics, but it's unclear how much he'll practice this week. That would seem to increase the likelihood that sophomore Philip Nelson starts Saturday, but Claeys didn't indicate that.
"One thing we have here is a rule that if you're going to play, you've got to practice," Claeys said. "So we'll see how Mitch handles this medication, if he feels better."
Nelson has started four games at quarterback, including a surprise appearance against Iowa on Sept. 28, when every hint suggested Leidner would start. Leidner has started three games, including one at Michigan on Oct. 5 that no one saw coming.
Last Saturday Nelson relieved Leidner and had far more success moving the offense in a 20-17 victory over Northwestern. Claeys said no matter which quarterback starts against Nebraska, the backup will get some first-half snaps. That was the plan heading into the Northwestern game, too.
At tailback, the Gophers have used three different starters this year — Donnell Kirkwood, Rodrick Williams and David Cobb.