Leave it to Kevin Simon to put it all into perspective.

"Guys need to realize this is going to be our bowl game," Tennessee's senior linebacker said of Saturday's game at Notre Dame. "This is going to be our season, this game and how we perform means a lot."

It means the Vols (3-4) stopping Brady Quinn.

The Fighting Irish quarterback has quickly climbed the Heisman Trophy watch lists after passing for 2,352 yards and a school-record 20 touchdowns with only four interceptions.

"As a defense, we know Brady Quinn is in the Heisman race," Simon said. "We want to take him out of the hunt.

"He's not going to have a big day on us, and that's the mentality of all 11 guys on defense."

Simon, UT's leading tackler, again takes on the role of rallying the troops.

He talks of shutting down Quinn, but he mixes it in with a heavy dose of respect for the No. 8-ranked Irish (5-2).

"They're a good football team, especially at quarterback," he said. "The quarterback is going to be the best QB we've played all season."

As usual, talk all week has centered around putting pressure on Quinn.

Giving him time to find 6-foot-5 receivers like Jeff Samardzija and Maurice Stovall isn't an option.

Samardzija has 11 TD catches this season. Stovall set two Notre Dame records with 14 catches and four TDs in a 49-23 victory on Oct. 22.

"I think we've got a considerable advantage on the front line -- our front seven and our front four against their offensive line," Simon said. "But it's going to be a matchup.

"If we can't put pressure on them, or if they have time to throw the football, they have a height advantage over our cornerbacks because those guys are 6-5."

Notre Dame will use a lot of motion, mix things up on offense and give the Vols' defenders plenty to think about with their assignments.

First-year Irish coach Charlie Weis obviously has the attention of the Vols.

"In the passing game, he does a really good job," Simon said. "He puts guys in situations they probably haven't seen all year.

"He does a good job with motion to get guys out of position, out of leverage, and then hit them with a big play."

Big plays by Notre Dame could add up to big trouble for the struggling Vols.

"Man, being at 3-4, you just want to get a 'W,' " Simon said. "It's just about winning football games now."

The fact that Simon strongly considered Notre Dame coming out of high school in California, and the fact a couple of his former teammates landed at Notre Dame, isn't a factor to the Vols' leading tackler.

"All that stuff is out the window," he said. "I'm trying to win for this football team."

Ligon Likely To Start: Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer had a surprise following Thursday afternoon's practice session.

Junior David Ligon is expected to get the start ahead of senior Richie Gandy, still gimpy from on-going troubles with his knee.

"Ligon has been the center all week," Fulmer said. "Gandy will play if he can. He's going to travel, but he has gotten limited work this week."

Ligon will be the fourth starting center used by the Vols this season joining Rob Smith, Anthony Parker and Gandy.

Foster Ready To Go: Freshman tailback Arian Foster keeps showing strides of improving physically going into his second consecutive start in place of injured Gerald Riggs Jr.

Earlier this week, Foster's availability against Notre Dame was in question due to soreness in his knee suffered in last week's loss to South Carolina.

"Arian looks to be in really good shape," Fulmer said. "He's much better than we thought earlier in the week.

"We got quite a scare with that. He's wearing a really light, small brace, so we're really encouraged."

David Yancey, Ja'Kouri Williams and possibly fullback Cory Anderson will back up Foster.

Freshman LaMarcus Coker is on the travel squad, but Fulmer hasn't given a lot of consideration to burning the Nashville native's redshirt season.

"The fourth-team tailback right now is not my biggest concern," Fulmer said. "If we can keep his redshirt we will.

"I'm just glad we've got Arian back and Cory ready to play there."

Booth Moves: Fulmer said receivers coach Pat Washington would be down on the field to help with personnel moves as former offensive coordinator Randy Sanders moves up to the booth.

Greg Adkins also will be in the booth.

Hostetter To Miss Spring: Sophomore defensive end Jared Hostetter isn't expected to return from knee surgery until next fall at the earliest.

"He had a very significant knee dislocation and they actually had a very big surgery last week to correct it again," Fulmer said.

Hall of Fame: After their usual walk through at Notre Dame early this afternoon, the Vols will take a visit to the College Football Hall of Fame.

"I would think it will mean a lot to our guys if they take it seriously," Fulmer said.