Alabama football had its open date on Saturday, taking the weekend to rest up before it faces LSU at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Before the team had its days off, Nick Saban cautioned against taking it easy in the week before a game that could decide the SEC West.

It appears his players, at least the ones who spoke to media on Monday, got the message.

“Grind don’t stop.” quarterback Jalen Milroe said. “We’re in the season. Grind don’t stop.”

The bye week came eight weeks into the season, with Alabama sitting at 7-1 overall, 5-0 in SEC play. The Crimson Tide beat Tennessee 34-20 last time out at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

After that, Milroe got to work.

“We’re trying to improve, get better,” he said. “I took the bye week as a chance to increase my mental capacity as far approaching the game and as far as the physical standpoint, resting, taking care of my body so I can really take some big strides this week.”

Linebacker Deontae Lawson stayed in Tuscaloosa during the break. He said the time off was beneficial for the Crimson Tide’s health.

“It was definitely great,” Lawson said. “Just time to reset. We know we got a long stretch coming ahead so just getting everyone right.”

The end of Alabama’s season starts Saturday against LSU. Then the Tide heads to Kentucky before a home matchup with Chattanooga and the Iron Bowl at Auburn.

Saban said Monday that he hoped his players enjoyed the momentary rest.

“But you also want them to be focused and ready to go when they come back,” Saban said. “There’s a balance in all that. You can’t dissipate and go not eat right and (not) do the right things while you’re off. You can still enjoy yourself but you also can stay focused on what you need to do when you come back. I think that’s a combination and balance in all that. Balance in life is important in about everything that you do. So that kind of balance can create very positive results for you when you come back and you’re ready to go.”

Alabama and LSU are scheduled to kick off Saturday at 6:45 p.m. in Tuscaloosa. The game will be aired on CBS.