Interestingly, GMac has called several games @ Iowa State, and he is generally complimentary about Iowa State football (team and fan support), so let's try not to give him the Kirk Herbstreit treatment! He is not an anti-ISU guy.
I think he is off the mark on some things (ludicrous is a strong word, and the Ohio State comparison about dominance is off), but being, staying and finishing as a top 4 thing is no easy task - something about which Greg knows from first hand experience. With or without GMac's support, this is going to be very hard to do.
As for his time at Alabama, he was a solid QB on a very tough team. He was recruited by Shula, but played for Saban from Day One (2007-10). So, he was part of the rebuild of the program. Those early days were not for the feint of heart.
In the BCS Championship Game vs. Texas, he played with healing cracked ribs from the Florida Game (which he finished too). He may look like Opie, but he is a tough S.O.B.
fyi: I saw him play in person multiple times in 2008 (back-up) , 2009 (starter) and 2010 (starter), and I think ISU fans would have loved him as a Cyclone QB.
Let's Go State!