Mississippi State got good timing, in a sense, to have its bye week ahead of the Alabama game this week, and coach Mike Leach offered his perspective on the week off.

“Difficult to say, but I thought it was pretty good,” Leach said on the Wednesday SEC coaches media teleconference. “I think any of them that are around midseason are a pretty good time.”

About Will Rogers, Leach said that he’s developed into a leader this season.

“He does a good job of asserting himself as far as creating energy,” Leach said. “Quarterback, just kind of by position, are leaders. … He takes the team on his shoulders and tries to elevate them any way he can.”

Leach, Rogers and the Bulldogs will meet Alabama on Saturday in a 7 p.m. ET game on ESPN.