TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Brodie Croyle knows exactly how Alabama quarterbacks are measured: By wins. Big ones.

It’s how the senior hopes to be remembered by Crimson Tide fans, not for his injuries or for being the quarterback during the program’s lean times. Leading No. 15 Alabama to an upset of fifth-ranked Florida Saturday would certainly leave a mark with the fans.

“That’s all they care about,” said John Croyle, Brodie’s father and a former Tide player. “That’s the mark of a great quarterback. Bart Starr wasn’t remembered for his career at Alabama because he was there during tough times, kind of like Brodie’s been. He’s remembered for going to the NFL and winning.”

And Croyle? He could own all the big school passing records at Alabama (4-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) before he’s done. But he’s had the dual misfortunes of bad timing — guiding a team depleted by NCAA sanctions — and injuries, including a torn knee ligament that sidelined him for the final nine games last season.

He’s not about to get into a discussion of what beating the Gators (4-0, 2-0) would mean personally or how it would affect his legacy.

“I’m not going to win the game,” Croyle said. “If anything I’m going to lose it. I don’t get into all that, ’Brodie beat Florida, the No. 5 team in the nation.’ If we come out with a win Saturday, if anything it’s going to be because of our defense.”

His coach has other ideas.

“He definitely is the key for us,” Mike Shula said.

While Florida’s Chris Leak grabs far more national headlines and passing yards, Shula likes his own QB. He cites Croyle’s leadership on the sidelines and in the huddle, but he also raves about his poise.

“He’s a guy that when he comes off for timeouts, he’s very calm,” said Shula, a former Tide quarterback known for keeping his emotions in check. “When he tells you he sees things out there, he’s very accurate. He doesn’t get rattled.

“His pulse kind of slows a little bit during the course of the game when a lot of guys’ are racing.”

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Croyle needs just two touchdown passes to match the Tide’s record of 35 held by Shula and Andrew Zow. He’s also within range of Zow’s mark for career passing yards by season’s end.

Croyle, who has won his last seven starts, is right in the middle of SEC quarterbacks statistically. His 828 passing yards ranks sixth and he has thrown for six touchdowns against two interceptions.

His numbers aren’t as impressive as Leak’s despite throwing only five fewer passes in markedly different offensive systems. The Tide has the SEC’s leading rusher in Ken Darby.

Croyle has no complaints about the Tide’s system, though he does admit spread offenses like Florida’s are “fun to watch.”

“They’re 4-0, we’re 4-0. That’s all that matters to me,” he said. “I’m perfectly happy throwing whatever we throw in a game. Some games we’ll throw it 40 times a game, some games we’ll throw it 20. As long as we’re winning, as long as we’re putting up points, I’m not concerned with how many yards I throw for.”

Croyle’s teammates praise his savvy and his arm strength. Fullback Tim Castille said Croyle isn’t likely to “do anything dumb with the football” in tight situations.

“He’s a football player,” Castille said. “That’s the ultimate compliment to me is if somebody says I’m a football player. That just means you do things the right way.”

If that’s not the ultimate compliment, maybe this assessment of Croyle from offensive coordinator Dave Rader is:

“This is the kind of guy you want in a big game.”