Between Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner, which RB should get bigger workload for Texas football now?

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has been a full-throated supporter of Jaydon Blue.

The running back fumbled twice against Mississippi State and got benched. The coach rushed to Blue’s defense afterward. “We’re going to need Jaydon Blue,” Sarkisian said afterward.

That is true simply from a depth perspective. But it’s getting hard to deny Quintrevion Wisner more opportunities after his 118-yard day against Oklahoma in the Red River rivalry.

“You could feel his presence on the field,” Sarkisian said, “and that was the hand that we went with to try to go solidify the win.”

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Wisner had back-to-back electric runs of 36 and 43 yards in the Cotton Bowl. Both should have been touchdowns.

On the first long run, Wisner had the ball punched out of his hands just inside the 3-yard line. The ball caromed into the end zone, where Johnny-on-the-spot receiver Silas Bolden hustled to chase it down and cover it for a touchdown.

“For him to come in and correct one of my mistakes, I commend him for that,” Wisner said.

Related: Texas WR Silas Bolden’s hustle to recover fumble for a touchdown vs. Oklahoma defines what Red River rivalry is all about

Wisner came back immediately on UT’s next drive and ripped off the 43-yarder. No fumble on this one as he raced into the end zone by himself.

One thing we know about Sarkisian, he values ball security above all else. Fumbling into the end zone — or anywhere on the field — is a huge no-no, even if Bolden recovered.

Still, Wisner averaged 9.1 yards on 13 carries, the numbers inflated by the two long runs. Blue had 30 yards on 10 carries and just didn’t have as big an impact.

Wisner also had 12 receiving yards on four catches. Blue had 18 yards on three catches. Both running backs act as safety valves for quarterback Quinn Ewers on check-downs when nothing is open downfield.

“The plan for me today was just to come in whenever my number’s called,” Wisner said afterward, according to the Austin American-Statesman. “And do what I did today.”

In the glass-half-full department, it’s clear the Horns believe they have two capable running backs. That’s a huge statement given the rough August in losing starter CJ Baxter and freshman Christian Clark due to injury. In training camp, the woe-is-Texas narrative was rampant.

Related: Latest from Steve Sarkisian confirms that running back injuries are stress testing Texas' offensive depth

Halfway through the 2024 regular season, Texas has the fifth-best rushing attack in the SEC with Blue and Wisner. The Horns are averaging 189 yards per game.

Blue had 124 yards against ULM before getting sidelined because of those fumbles. Wisner now has a 100-yard day on his ledger, courtesy of the Sooners.

Who should get the bulk of the carries going forward? Perhaps it shifts back and forth down the season’s homestretch. Either way, the Horns should feel good about their options.