DALLAS ― Quintrevion Wisner has not vaulted himself into the discussion to lead the Texas football team's backfield. Going around obstacles is not his way.

No, he's battered his way into the picture ― one shuddering thud of his shoulder pads at a time.

Pairing production with efficiency, Wisner produced the best rushing performance of any Longhorn running back this season in Texas' 34-3 win Saturday over Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl.

He churned his way to 118 rushing yards and a touchdown while averaging 9.1 yards per carry.

"Today, Tre wasn't planning on coming in and being the feature back," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. "But you could feel his presence on the field, and that was the hand that we went with to try to go solidify the win."

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Sarkisian left room for speculation at his weekly meeting with reporters Monday when he did not directly answer a question about whether the start would go to Wisner or Jaydon Blue, who has been Texas' feature back when healthy this season but fumbled twice the previous time out against Mississippi State.

Blue trotted out with the starting offense to get the first licks at the Oklahoma defense, with Wisner in reserve.

"The plan for me today was just to come in whenever my number's called," Wisner said. "And do what I did today."

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Especially in football, plans evolve. Quickly. Sarkisian made Wisner one of the centerpieces of his offense as the Longhorns adjusted in the face of stern resistance from the Sooners.

After tallying just a reception for 5 yards in a first quarter that did not include a first down for Texas' offense, Wisner helped spark the Longhorns' first touchdown drive in the second quarter with three carries for 12 yards.

Then came the fireworks. Wisner's teammates use words like "grit" and "toughness" to describe the way he runs the ball. Those are often generous descriptors directed toward players with a work ethic that outweighs their physical talents — guys with no sauce. Like a dry Fletcher's Corny Dog with no condiments.

That's not Wisner.

Later in the second quarter he broke off a 36-yard run that ended with a fumble recovered by Silas Bolden in the end zone for a Texas touchdown. On the next drive, he broke through for a 43-yard touchdown rush, this time succeeding in hanging onto the rock until he crossed the goal line.

At the end of his rampage, Texas carried a 21-3 lead into the locker room at halftime.

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"He just brings a lot of juice," Texas center Jake Majors said. "He works his tail off every day; whatever practice it is, he's doing a great job bringing the juice. He's kind of like a culture guy. The way he runs just inspires all of us."

Could it inspire a change at the top of the running back depth chart?

Factoring in Saturday's performance, Wisner is averaging 6.18 yards per carry on the season with Blue now sitting at 4.41.

When the question was posed, Sarkisian wasn't ready to anoint Wisner "the guy."

"A lot of times, on our team, it's hard to tell the difference between our Ones and our Twos," Sarkisian said. "It really is difficult. So I would argue that they're the same. The running back position isn't much different than the safety position or the linebacker position or the quarterback position."

Instead of issuing a declaration, Sarkisian made a prediction: Texas' backfield is going to be led by a different guy every week.

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Down presumptive starting running back CJ Baxter (lost for the season with an injury), the Longhorns have been led in rushing by four different players this season. Wisner and freshman running back Jerrick Gibson have done it twice. Blue has topped the leaderboard once — as has freshman wideout Ryan Wingo.

"Different weeks have been different guys," Sarkisian said. "And I don't think that part's going to change a lot."

Saturday's game

No. 4 Georgia (5-1) at No. 1 Texas (6-0), 6:30 p.m., ABC, 1300, 98.1, 105.3 (Spanish)

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas football: Quintrevion Wisner makes bid for starting job