Alabama and Clemson are getting set for another matchup in the College Football Playoff, and star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick met with the media ahead of the upcoming game.

Alabama was able to make it into the Playoff as the No. 4 team, making the Crimson Tide the only team to reach the Playoff all four seasons. However, this is the first time that Alabama has made it without winning the SEC Championship.

Fitzpatrick was asked about not playing in the SEC Championship Game after losing to Auburn, and he believes that the extra week off may have helped the Crimson Tide. The week off allowed multiple guys, including Fitzpatrick, to rest and get healthy:

“I think it definitely helped rest wise,” said Fitzpatrick. “We had a whole extra week to get our bodies right, and I think it definitely benefited myself and a whole lot of other people.”

It is definitely interesting that not competing in Atlanta may have helped Alabama rest some injured players, especially after its selection for the Playoff over Ohio State drew a strong reaction from many around the country.

One issue that Fitzpatrick and Alabama’s defense will have to deal with in the game is the absence of DB Hootie Jones. Jones is a talented defender who suffered a knee-injury in the Iron Bowl and will likely be unavailable for the Playoff.

While Fitzpatrick did say Jones is a player the defense will miss, his confidence in Alabama adjusting to the loss has not changed:

“Hootie is a big loss for us,” Fitzpatrick explained. “He’s a great player and a great leader out there, but I have the same confidence.”

You can hear his full comments here.

It will be interesting to see who comes out on top between Alabama and Clemson. Kickoff for the Sugar Bowl is set for 8:45 pm EST New Year’s Day on ESPN.