Kevin Simon's plans are simple this weekend.

It's basically a chance to "chill out."

A rare three-day vacation is a chance for the Tennessee linebacker -- and all the Vols -- to relax, refocus and regroup.

"The break is right on time for us," Simon said after UT finished its final practice prior to Alabama week.

"We played three physical ball games in about a two-week span. It feels like it's catching up with us."

The 17th-ranked Vols (3-2, 2-2 SEC) had about a 90-minute workout early Thursday.

As soon as it was over, players scattered to take full advantage of some down time.

"As much as you'd like to say, 'Hey, we're tough,' we're human beings," senior running back Gerald Riggs said. "It's time for a rest. We welcome it right now.

"Unfortunately, we're going into it with a loss, but I think it's going to give us a chance to refocus, reevaluate and see what we need to do to get ourselves back on track and win the next six ballgames."

A 27-14 loss to Georgia last Saturday gives the Vols plenty to think about.

A roll call of mistakes included 12 penalties, three turnovers, 48 total yards rushing and a number of breakdowns in special teams.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer admitted he welcomes the rest for his team, but he also wants them to reflect on those stats.

"I want them to enjoy their friends and families and rest, but to also be thinking about what they want from this season," Fulmer said.

"We've had a demanding schedule, but I don't want this season to end in disappointment any more than it already is."

Fulmer hopes the bleeding stops in next week's game at Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide is 5-0 and ranked No. 6 going into this weekend's game at Ole Miss.

"Obviously, with the schedule we've had, we've got some tired guys," he said. "So these two or three days will be great for us.

"We certainly expected to be in a better position than we are right now, but as I've said before, this is a tough, mature group of kids."

Simon, one of those senior leaders, said the coaches haven't had to spend a lot of extra time keeping the Vols motivated for the stretch run.

"It's really something that doesn't even have to be said," Simon said. "We've got the right kind of character on this team to know it's not the time to lie down. It's time to step up our game.

"The coaches don't have to say anything to us. We all know we shouldn't be 3-2 right now."

As far as Simon is concerned, a game like Alabama is enough to kick-start the system of any true UT football player.

"We've still got a lot to play for," he said. "We've got some big games in Alabama (Oct. 22), South Carolina (Oct. 29), in Notre Dame (Nov. 5).

"For me, as a senior, I want to paint the right picture for our last go around."

Part of the process for Simon is spending the weekend in Atlanta with some friends and becoming a fan again.

UT coaches have stressed to players to stay off their feet and get healthy.

"Chill out," Simon said. "No 3-on-3 basketball, don't sprain any ankles, don't go crazy in the weight room. Just relax and take in some of the games this weekend -- Notre Dame-USC and a couple of other big games out there.

"It'll be fun to be a fan for the weekend."

But in the back of players' minds, there's always Alabama lurking.

Senior guard Rob Smith made it clear the Vols will be totally focused on the Tide when practice resumes on Monday.

"This team is made up of a lot of older guys and we've got too much pride to just call it quits," he said. "Everybody just wants to keep working and get better.

"Defense has obviously been playing great all year. It's up to the offense to hold up our end."