Tide's McElroy refreshed, ready

TUSCALOOSA — For his bye weekend, Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy "got away from it all," which meant a return to his home in Texas and a Saturday spent lounging around a country club with his father.

"It was a good weekend," McElroy said, "a very good weekend."

Refreshed and perhaps a little more relaxed, McElroy returned to the grind Monday as third-ranked, undefeated Alabama begins the final-third of its regular season with conference and national titles within reach.

That pursuit continues with Saturday's pivotal 2:30 p.m. home game against No. 9 LSU, when a victory can clinch another SEC West title for the Crimson Tide.

Much of Alabama's success or failure will undoubtedly hinge on McElroy.

As point totals have dwindled, the same talking heads who once said McElroy was a candidate for the Heisman Trophy are now chiding the Crimson Tide's passing game as a glaring weakness on an otherwise stacked team.

"People build you up to break you down," McElroy said, "and I've experienced that a little bit this year."

Perhaps above all, McElroy has acknowledged that he tends to put too much pressure on himself. He has sought to play with more emotion, tried to enjoy himself and remember it's just a game. He has also worked to stay positive, and under Nick Saban's advice, not care so much about "trying to please others" as much as the outcome of the game.

"You can read into those things (like Heisman talk), and it can get to you," McElroy said. "It really can, and I think it might have a little bit with me. But right now we got to get back to what we do best, and that's taking care of the football and moving the football methodically down the field. That's what's going to win us games."

Alabama's offense has managed only one touchdown drive in its past two games, and that march consisted of Mark Ingram carrying the football six consecutive snaps against South Carolina. McElroy finished the month of October without completing a pass longer than 27 yards during four games.

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