Alabama's McElroy Is on a Roll

Alabama's defense is getting all the love, and rightfully so. The Crimson Tide ranks second in the nation in rushing defense and third in the country in total defense. The unit expects to be thoroughly tested in its SEC opener on Saturday by Arkansas' prolific offense, directed by the hammer, Ryan Mallett.

Psstt, keep an eye on Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, too.

"He's a real good football player," FIU coach Mario Cristobal said. "He really is."

McElroy has been impressive in his first three games as Alabama's starting quarterback, completing 66.7 percent (46 of 69) of his passes for 647 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. The junior has now won his last 19 starts, going 16-0 as a high school senior and 3-0 for the Tide.

Remaining undefeated is the goal for McElroy and third-ranked Alabama.

The Crimson Tide has won 17 consecutive SEC openers, the longest streak in school history and the longest active streak in the SEC. While Saturday's showdown is being billed as a collision between Alabama's stout defense and Arkansas' electric offense, McElroy has quietly gone about his business.

In fact, he even has marveled at Mallett's outstanding start.

Mallett, a transfer from Michigan, leads the country in passing efficiency, with a ridiculously high rating of 193.5. Mallett made his SEC debut last Saturday night at Reynolds Razorback Stadium with a hot start against Georgia, and finished with a school-record for passing yards (408) and touchdowns (five) in a 52-41 loss to the Bulldogs.

"I thought he did really well (against Georgia)," McElroy said.

"He's a guy that transferred and is getting used to and acquainted with the SEC, but I think he did a really good job handling speed and getting the ball out on time. Usually the big guys like that are kind of slow and deliberate, but he plays well and plays fast -- throws a really good ball with a good arm."

McElroy may not attract Mallett's red-carpet attention, but that's just fine with him. Actually, it's his M.O.

Though McElroy grew up following the Pac-10 and the Big 12, he watched plenty of Auburn games because his grandfather went to Auburn. He also was raised around the pro game as his father, Greg, is the senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Dallas Cowboys.

McElroy didn't start until his senior year at power Southlake Carroll High School in Texas because he was behind Chase Daniel, who went on to star at Missouri.

He was redshirted his freshman season at Alabama in 2006 and saw limited action behind John Parker Wilson for two seasons before making his first collegiate start in the Tide's season-opening victory over Virginia Tech.

Talk about streaking.

Since halftime of the Tech game, McElroy has completed 40 of 51 passes for 553 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. That computes to a 78.4 completion percentage, a 195.40 passer rating and a 137.99 NFL passer rating over those 10 quarters. He set a new Alabama record for consecutive completions against FIU (Sept. 12) by connecting on 14 straight passes.

Last Saturday against North Texas, McElroy tied the school mark for highest completion percentage with a minimum of 10 completions, going 13 of 15 (86.7 percent) and equaling Walter Lewis 1983 performance against Houston. In the past two games, McElroy has completed 20 of 22 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter.

McElroy credits his efficiency to the Tide's approach and ability.

"I think part of it is good play-calling and I think part of it is my ability just to take what the defense is give me and I think part of it is guys are just open," McElroy said.

"We've really just kind of worked and worked and worked, and we've finally all gotten on the same page. Our timing is pretty good. We are not holding the ball too long and the offensive line is giving me a great amount of time.

"We talk about efficiency rating as a quarterback, and that's one of our biggest goals. That's not a statistic for me; that's a statistic for everybody. As long as everyone is on the same page, that's the only way an offense can work in the passing game. That's something we continue to work on and need to continue to improve on over the next couple of weeks."

McElroy is expected to have additional help against the Razorbacks with the return of preseason All-American wide receiver Julio Jones (bruised knee) and running back Roy UpChurch (ankle sprain). Neither played last Saturday. Jones' absence has provided opportunities for others to step up, giving McElroy more options -- 13 players have at least one reception this season.

"I think a lot of the media focused so much on Julio that they didn't give a lot of (other) guys a lot of credit," McElroy said.

"We knew going into the season we had capable guys all over the field. I am not going to zero on a certain wide receiver just because he wears No. 8 (Jones) and he's big and tall. I will throw to whoever is open and that's what I've been able to do and I think that's a big reason why we've been so efficient the last couple of weeks."

While Alabama's defense -- it has surrendered just 42 yards per game on the ground and 185 total yards per game this year -- will be on center stage against Mallett and the Razorbacks, McElroy's play is also expected to play a key role in the outcome.

"We know they (Razorbacks) are going to be difficult for the defense to stop, but that's the defense's job to prepare for him (Mallett)," McElroy said.

"What we are preparing for is Arkansas' defense and that's what we are going to to into the game thinking about. It's not going to be so much about McElroy versus Mallett -- it's not like that at all, not in my eyes by any means.

"Really the only story line should be Arkansas versus Alabama and it should be a good test for us. We are going to have to really play a good game to come out with a victory."