TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Yes, the standards are high at Alabama. Yes, the expectations are even higher.

But did you realize the Crimson Tide has been winning despite poor performances by sophomore quarterback AJ McCarron?

That is the

about McCarron following Alabama's 38-14 victory over No. 14 Arkansas on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Hayes called McCarron the "glaring weakness" on the Alabama team and blasted the quarterback for being a "game manager" while somehow complimenting predecessor Greg McElroy for having the same qualities.

Playing in a conservative system that famously takes what a defense gives it, McCarron completed 75 percent of his passes Saturday. He threw for 15 more yards than Tyler Wilson, regarded as a budding star quarterback for the Razorbacks.

McCarron threw for two touchdowns and did not have a pass intercepted for the third consecutive game. His second TD pass was a screen pass, but it was sold with an effective play-action fake handoff to Marquis Maze.

If anyone is going to compare McCarron to his predecessor, it would be fair to compare him to McElroy in 2009, during his first season as a starter. He had a good September, an awful October, then led Alabama to the national championship.

Hayes apparently has not noticed that McElroy had Julio Jones to throw to and McCarron does not. Hayes calls Alabama's current wide receivers "vastly underrated." It apparently isn't their fault that they barely are missing McCarron's deep passes.

McCarron is an "uncomfortable quarterback who can't get rid of the ball and takes too many sacks." Two sacks Saturday are too many? And the offensive line gets no blame?

Hmmm. Anyone agree?