BATON ROUGE - This weekend the Tigers begin working through the meatiest portion of their conference schedule, and the toughest November slate of any SEC team.

In order No. 4 LSU (7-0) faces Alabama (7-1), Arkansas (4-4), Ole Miss (7-2), and Texas A&M (6-2). All except Arkansas are ranked in the AP Top 25. Waiting at the other end of that gauntlet is the chance to be top of the SEC West, and a strong finish could put the Tigers in the running for a shot at the national title.

For now, though, all eyes are on Tuscaloosa. LSU released their hype video for the game Monday night to stoke the fans, but players said they're trying to set the Alabama rivalry aside so they can focus on the Crimson Tide as an opponent.

"I went back home and everyone is talking about it," said safety Jalen Mills, who is back after being injured earlier in the season. "We can't get caught up in the hype, if we play our game we should be good."

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Another hot topic besides the rivalry will be the battle of the top running backs in the conference. LSU's Leonard Fournette and Alabama's Derrick Henry are ranked first and second in the SEC, and first and ninth in the country. The Heisman-chasing Fournette has an edge on stats with 300 more total yards and averaging 60 yards more per game, but both are powerful runners who defenders will need to bring down in a hurry.

LSU head football coach Les Miles said on Monday he understands the stakes of this year's Alabama game are especially high for his Tigers.

"You're playing for the lead in the west, and you put yourself with your achievement, this team in position to do so. So they should look forward to it. They should relish it. It's why you came to LSU, to be a part of this game," Miles said.

Alabama hosts LSU in Tuscaloosa with kickoff set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.