Tennessee's football players know what they have to do.

It's simple.

The Vols just have to beat three teams that they perennially dominate to become bowl eligible.

The problem is that nothing has been easy for the Vols in 2005.

"I would smell blood if I was another team," senior linebacker Omar Gaither said. "Once they put on the film and see us play I think it may be a different story."

UT faces Memphis on Saturday at 2 p.m. (TV: Pay-per-view), then Vanderbilt on Nov. 19 (12:30 p.m., TV: WVLT) and Kentucky on Nov. 26. The Vols are 153-50-14 against the three programs all-time. Since 1985, UT is 49-1. The lone loss came in 1996 to Memphis.

"If I was Vanderbilt, Kentucky or Memphis, I'm thinking 'Let's just play our game. The way Tennessee has been playing, we have a shot to beat them,'" junior center David Ligon said.

It seems most any team has a shot to beat the Vols this year. The Vols are 3-5 and have only a Music City or Independence Bowl berth to play for. UT hasn't missed out on a bowl game since 1988.

Gaither said fans need not worry about the Vols' motivation.

"I think we'll come to play every week," the senior said. "We just haven't got the right bounces. I think we'll come to play this week."

Said Ligon, "If we don't get up for this game, there's a chance we'll lose. If we lose, we're going to be singing the tune 'I'll Be Home For Christmas.'

"We want to go to a bowl game. To go to a bowl game, we have to get up for all three of the next games.

"We don't want to be remembered as the Tennessee team that didn't go to a bowl game."

Snapped To It: Ligon said he was pleased with his performance against Notre Dame. Ligon, who is Catholic, admitted that his first career start coming against Notre Dame was a bit daunting.

"A Catholic boy going up to play at Notre Dame, you've definitely got to be nervous," he said. "I was more excited than nervous. Once the first snap was done, it was like I'd been playing my whole career."

Senior Richie Gandy was expected to return to practice Monday and could return to his starting role against Memphis on Saturday.

Ligon said he was not told he would be the starter last week but assumed that would be the case by mid-week. Ligon said he fully expected to start Saturday morning.

"I guess if I hadn't known by then, I'd be a moron," Ligon said with a chuckle. "I guess I consider myself a smart guy to figure that out."

Ligon said his play at South Bend makes him believe he can play against any team.

"You can't build confidence any better way than playing against a team like Notre Dame," he said.

Coach Watching: Jacque McClendon said he is keeping a close eye on UT's coaching situation. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound lineman committed in December 2004 to play football for the Vols.

"There are rumors going around that there's going to be more coaching changes," the Baylor High School star said. "I really just want to see what happens.

"There's no telling what could happen. If an extraordinary situation came true then I'd still have a place that I'd like to go."

Offensive coordinator Randy Sanders resigned on Oct. 31. He will stay on with UT's staff as quarterbacks coach until the end of the season.

McClendon has made official visits to Alabama and Notre Dame. He said he plans to visit UT, Auburn and Florida.

Next O.C.: Fulmer declined to elaborate on UT's search for an offensive coordinator.

"It hasn't been tough yet," Fulmer said of the time demands, "because I haven't really just delved into it."

Fulmer said he has looked over several potential candidates and has had several coaches contact him.

"We've got some time," Fulmer said, "depending on when we decide to do that."

Former UT coach David Cutcliffe still is thought to be the leading candidate.

Vol Notes: Fulmer said he still has confidence in freshman kick/punt returner Lucas Taylor despite two fumbles against Notre Dame. Fulmer said UT has a couple of dynamic prospects in the return game but must find someone to hold onto the ball. ... Fulmer said he and Sanders will continue to split play-calling duties. ... Fulmer said UT's practice likely will be closed for the remainder of the season. ... Fulmer said UT's receivers haven't lacked effort. They have, instead, misjudged passes due to a lack of practice because of injuries.

Future Back: Gerald Riggs Jr. said he expects to have the medical screws removed from his surgically repaired ankle in three months. That should allow Riggs to be ready for the NFL's evaluations in March.

Riggs said his endurance could be limited at that time. The senior was wearing a cast and walking with crutches Monday.

Riggs suffered a fractured ankle against Alabama that ended his college career.

High Praise: Gaither said Memphis running back DeAngelo Williams reminds him of San Diego Chargers tailback LaDanian Tomlinson. Tomlinson is often mentioned as one of the best tailbacks in the NFL.

"I haven't spent as much time on defense the last couple of weeks as I normally do," Fulmer said when asked about Williams. "But you better know where he is every play.

"He's a special football player."

KenVol: Longtime UT fan Ken Moss died last week. Moss frequently called radio talk shows and posted on message boards under 'Ken Vol' until he fell ill.

UT receiver Chris Hannon and tailback Arian Foster visited Moss in the hospital after he was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

No X: Xavier Mitchell did not practice Monday. He had a sling on his left shoulder.