Jalen Milroe 'Grind Don't Stop' on Bye Weekend

The leaders of the Crimson Tide program took the off weekend as a chance to improve.

The No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide football program had an off week at the perfect time after going 7-1 through the season's first eight games. Alabama enjoyed an emotional victory over Tennessee after losing in the 2022 season and now must turn its attention to LSU, a team that also bested the Crimson Tide last year.

Coach Nick Saban discussed the off week plan last week as limiting the work load but preparing for the final three SEC opponents left on the schedule. Saban famously headed to his lake house to celebrate his birthday a little early with his family but some of the other leaders of the Alabama program stayed in Tuscaloosa and continued to work.

"Grind don't stop. We in the season. Grind don't stop. We're trying to improve, get better," said Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. "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."

Milroe wasn't alone in staying around town and working throughout the off weekend. 

“I actually stayed in Tuscaloosa. I tried to chill out and recover as much as I can," said inside linebacker Deontae Lawson.

Enjoying the off weekend is certainly a priority but getting back into the swing of the season immediately is important with the No. 13 LSU Tigers coming to town this weekend. The Tigers boast the nation's No. 1 offense and has a chance to stir up chaos in the SEC West with a victory.

"I think that you want your players -- as I alluded to before -- to enjoy their time off. But you also want them to be focused and ready to go when they come back. 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," said Saban. "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. If you didn't think about your job, what your responsibility is, one minute for three days, you're probably not going to benefit very much from the time you had off."

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