NEWPORT BEACH -- First he left the state, now Southlake, Texas product Greg McElroy will attempt to foil Texas in the BCS title game Thursday, as Alabama quarterback.

"It sometimes feels like you're breaking the law by looking out of state, but eventually you have to do what's best for you," said McElroy, who originally committed to Texas Tech before signing with Alabama.

McElroy was actually born in Los Angeles where his father, Greg Sr., worked in marketing with the Kings and Dodgers.

"I grew up in the locker room," said McElroy, "so that always helped me."

But he moved to the Dallas area when he was 10 and, like most Texas fans, is hopeful of the first Dallas Cowboys postseason victory in more than a decade this week.

"Hopefully, I'll have my favorite memory (as a Cowboys' fan) this upcoming week," said McElroy.