When discussing key matchups and other important aspects of the Alabama versus Michigan game, quarterback AJ McCarron doesn’t make most people’s top five.

The list, in no particular order, goes: Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, Alabama’s defense, Alabama’s secondary, running back Eddie Lacy’s health, and whether complacency will doom Alabama coming off a national championship, with McCarron barely making the top 10.

But the lack of national recognition doesn’t bother McCarron. In fact, he prefers it that way. Even though the red-shirt junior led the Crimson Tide to a national championship, Robinson gets more publicity from the quarterback position. McCarron is fine with that.

“I don’t really worry about everybody else,” McCarron said. “I just kind of go out and do what I’m capable of doing and play the best I can. At the end of the day, I let my game speak for itself.”

The lack of recognition is also apparent in the Southeastern Conference. McCarron was picked as the third best quarterback in the SEC, behind Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson and Georgia’s Aaron Murray.

McCarron finished his 2011 campaign as the most efficient regular starter in the SEC, completing 66.8 percent of his passes and throwing a league-low five interceptions, two coming in the first game of the season when he was battling for the starting position.

But he was, and by many still is, considered just a game-manager and a product of Alabama’s system. His talents and decision-making ability are an afterthought compared to the attention given to other aspects of the Alabama team. McCarron put some of those critics to rest with his performance in the national championship game, where he showed poise and the ability to consistently make every throw.

Now, McCarron is a grizzled veteran ready for all challenges. With the absence of Trent Richardson and no clear-cut No. 1 receiver, the Tide will rely on McCarron to make plays with his arm and become a vocal leader for the team. McCarron will also be asked to raise his level of production from last year, when he threw for 2634 yards and 16 touchdowns. But his teammates are confident McCarron is ready for the challenge.

“He’s more confident, and I haven’t seen a quarterback like him,” wide receiver Kevin Norwood said. “One of the biggest differences is that he has command of the entire offense now, and he’s ready to lead us to another big year.”