Joey Johnston

Clearly, University of Texas senior Colt McCoy is one of the great college football quarterbacks of our time. He has 45 career victories (cue the Colt-45 headlines). He is the first QB in major college football history to lead his team to four 10-win seasons. He has 112 career touchdown passes while completing more than 70 percent of his attempts.

Meanwhile, University of Alabama junior Greg McElroy is one of the great unknown college football quarterbacks of our time.

Polar opposites? Hardly. Besides the fact that Texas (13-0) will meet Alabama (13-0) in the BCS Championship Game on Jan. 7 at Pasadena, Calif., there is one common factor for the two former Texas schoolboys.

They win.

And win.

And win.

So even though McCoy has been surrounded by Heisman Trophy expectations and Alabama fans placed only one expectation upon McElroy (don’t mess it up, kid!), these guys are straight from Central Casting.

Following the spectacular era of Vince Young, the Longhorns were looking for charisma and panache, a flair for the spectacular.

Check!

“I was able to play behind him for one year and he taught me so much,’’ McCoy said. “To play behind him and learn from him, that has really helped me get to the point where I am.’’

With a punishing defense, a rugged running game and playmakers on the perimeter, the Crimson Tide sought an orchestrator, an organizer, someone who could make it all work, carrying on a long-standing tradition for most quarterbacks on the great Alabama teams.

Check!

“He hasn’t surprised me,’’ Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “Greg is a bright guy who makes good choices and decisions. What he lacks in not having the strongest arm in the world, he makes up for in his decision-making ability.

“The quarterback is the distributor of the ball, in my opinion. He gives everyone a chance to make plays.’’

Whether it’s handing off to Mark Ingram, a front-line Heisman candidate along with McCoy, or getting it to prime-time receiver Julio Jones, McElroy knows his role.

But his ability shouldn’t be underrated.

By now, Alabama fans are familiar with the story.

McElroy’s last loss as a starting quarterback?

Eighth grade.

Special feature Heisman special section In-depth look at Mark Ingram's victory for college football's top individual prize in the closest vote ever NBCSports.com

Of course, during much of that time, he served his apprenticeship. That included three years in high school (Southlake Carroll), behind future Missouri star Chase Daniel, who would become a Heisman finalist, and two seasons behind John Parker Wilson at Alabama.

McElroy’s time is now.

And he’s taking full advantage of that.

“He has played very well all year long,’’ Saban said. “Quarterback was a big question coming into the season, but he has done great. Greg will be the first one to tell you his great success was created by his teammates.’’

Those teammates, though, know what they have in McElroy.

In the SEC championship game, Florida’s Tim Tebow towered over everyone. But in the end, McElroy provided exactly the kind of leadership Alabama needed.

“Greg is a cool customer when the pressure is on,’’ Crimson Tide tight end Colin Peek said. “When we played Auburn (rallying from an early 14-0 deficit), a lot of quarterbacks may have stumbled or had nerves. But he just stayed really relaxed in the pocket and showed tremendous poise. I think that’s what you want in a quarterback.’’

And the fact that McElroy hasn’t lost as a starter since the eighth grade?

“I guess that’s something I have a lot of pride in,’’ McElroy said. “I feel strongly about the way we’ve played and the way we’ve prepared.’’

That was typified by the victory against Florida.

Perfect performance.

Perfect season.