Look deeper for compelling subplots this weekend

Updated: October 6, 2006, 10:20 AM ET

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By Rod Gilmore
Special to ESPN.com
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The plot for Saturday's big conference games center on the impact of the outcome these games will have on conference races. The marquee games include No. 7 Texas vs. No. 14 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, No. 11 Oregon vs. No. 16 Cal, No. 13 Tennessee vs. No. 10 Georgia, and No. 9 LSU vs. No. 5 Florida. The plots for these games are fine and dandy, but the subplots are just as compelling.

No. 7 Texas vs. No. 14 Oklahoma
Take the annual Red River Rivalry. As usual, the Big 12 North title is at stake in this game, but so what? It is unlikely that either Texas or Oklahoma will be in position to challenge for the national championship game this year. Yet, the magnitude of this game should not overshadow the focus on Texas QB Colt McCoy. When we last saw McCoy in a big game, the redshirt freshman was struggling against mighty Ohio State in a 24-7 loss. What was supposed to be the "Game of the Century" turned out to be too big a game for McCoy. Indeed, his interception in the opening minutes of the second half of a 14-7 game allowed Ohio State to run away with the game. So, just how much has McCoy improved in the last month? Does he now have the mettle to handle the big moments in a big game? Make no mistake about it -- McCoy will have an outstanding career at Texas. It just might be asking too much for him to handle the big games this soon.

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