After eight straight games to start the season, Alabama got its first bye week and it came at a great time. Not only did the break allow players to rest up and recover, but it also allowed the team to get focused on a tough stretch of games.

Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick met with the media this week to talk as the team prepares for LSU on Saturday.

"I think we're in a good spot," Fitzpatrick said. "We're getting a lot of people back who've been hurt. And I think people who are kinda dinged up, this break helped them. Everybody's sore right now but we had that little break. I feel that definitely helped us out and worked the little aches and pains out. We should be pretty fresh right now."

Alabama debuted as the No. 2 team in the College Football Playoff rankings, but there are still at least three ranked opponents left on the schedule. Fitzpatrick said the team only worries about the next game in front of them.

"We just think about the next week, really. Just being 1-0 and playing the best game possible. That's going to lead us up to the college football championship so as long as we keep doing our job and executing week-to-week, then at the end of the day we're going to be where we want to be."

The Tide and Tigers kickoff at 7 p.m. inside Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night.

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