Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin can downplay the existence of a quarterback controversy in Aggieland, but his coaching calls in No. 16 TAMU’s 38-17 victory over Arizona State have opened up a debate about which quarterback gives the team the best chance to win going forward.

Freshman QB Kyler Murray made his debut in the second quarter. At first, it looked like a change of pace situation, something to catch the ASU defense off guard. And for a bit, Sumlin rotated his quarterbacks. But in the second half, after starting QB Kyle Allen threw an interception, Murray came in and stayed on for three consecutive series. Sumlin looked to be favoring the newcomer until Murray left with a hip injury.

With Allen back on the field, Texas A&M pulled away from Arizona State in the fourth quarter. And the box score reflects a solid opening night for the sophomore signal caller: 15 of 26 for 198 yards, two touchdowns, one interception. But it was Murray, with his six rushes for 69 yards, who left everyone buzzing.

Murray’s playmaking ability comes in his speed and elusiveness when running with the football. In passing situations, the freshman lacked consistent accuracy and familiarity with reading college defenses. If Sumlin is willing to play Murray against ASU with the game in doubt, it has to be tempting for him to see what the rookie quarterback could gain from taking a greater share of the snaps against Ball State and Nevada, Texas A&M’s next two opponents.

Continuing to start Allen but using both quarterbacks might seem like an easy way out for Sumlin, but it doesn’t undo the impact of Allen getting benched Saturday night. Allen will now play looking over his shoulder, fearing the next interception or fumble comes with a ticket to watch from the bench. Sumlin has clearly seen special things from Murray, special enough to warrant high-leverage snaps in the second half of a tight game against the then-No. 15 team in the country.

In the immediate future, the higher floor belongs to Allen, the known commodity who can move the Aggies passing the football. The higher ceiling, however, belongs to Murray, the dual-threat and potential highlight machine. The conservative, safe decision is to stick with Allen instead of taking a chance on Murray. But conservative decision-making isn’t how Sumlin established himself as the man for one of the most coveted jobs in college football.