Just eight days before kicking off the season and Gary Goff remains mum about who his starting quarterback will be — officially.

The second-year Cowboys head coach says he knows “the direction” is going in, but isn’t ready to make it public.

McNeese State opens against Tarleton State a week from Saturday in Cowboy Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

“I may not name anyone until kickoff,” Goff said. “I don’t have to.”

All camp long transfers Nate Glantz and Tre’ Simmons have been locked in a tight battle for the starting job. Each has had their moments of both good and bad, Goff said, as McNeese tries to fix an offense that struggled in the passing game last season.

“I think all our quarterbacks are good,” said receiver Jon McCall, who has had a breakout camp. “I think we can win with both of them.”

That’s music to Goff’s ears as he had to see his air attack get grounded last season as McNeese went through four quarterbacks in a 4-7 campaign.

“I think both guys are very, very capable and have had great camps,” Goff said. “I have talked to them and we have our game plan moving forward.

“There is no point in picking one now. We don’t have to do it.”

Goff added that while he doesn’t like to use two quarterbacks, both might get playing time in the opener.

“A lot of that depends on how the game plan is absorbed by both of them,” Goff said. “I have never done that before, but you may see that.

“They are very, very similar and have been very, very close during camp,” Goff said comparing Simmons and Glantz. “Each can make plays. The margin between the two of them is so so small. They both have to prepare for the opponent next week.”

It should be noted the Cowboys had to play two quarterbacks in games a lot last year mostly because of injury and ineffectiveness not as a plan.

“We are head and shoulders in a better position than we were at the quarterback position a year ago,” Goff said.

It has been a strange week for the Cowboys, who have had to deal with the heat, smoke from area fires and even a missed day of practice when a new logo was put on their home turf. Yet they can see the end of camp officially on Saturday and then begin a game week.

“Right now we are fighting the boredom of just going against each other every single day,” Goff said. “We need a football game right now. We have reached that moment.

“We are still practicing with a chip on our shoulder, which is good to see.”

Goff said he is happy with where the Cowboys are, and more importantly, are healthy.

“I think the trainers and staff have done a good job keeping us healthy,” he said. “It is now my job to get us to the first game healthy.

“I am very comfortable with where we are both offensively and defensively. We have had a great camp.”

Turning a “great camp” into a winning campaign is the goal.