Next Vols coach's first goal should be to beat Vanderbilt

You can say this much for Tennessee’s next football coach: the only way to go is up.

Vanderbilt made it official Saturday night at Neyland Stadium: The Vols are the worst team in the SEC. And it's not even close based on how they performed in a 42-24 loss to the Commodores.

They’re also historically bad.

Vandy 42, Tennessee 24: Vols lose eight games for first time in program history

On the same night Tennessee was losing to the Commodores for the fourth time in six games, it also became the first team in school history to lose eight games in a single season and go winless in SEC play. 

Maybe, athletic director John Currie did former coach Butch Jones a favor by firing him with two games remaining. At least, Jones can boast he didn’t have a losing record against the Commodores.

That’s more than defensive coordinator Bob Shoop can say.

If Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur ever tries out for NFL scouts, he should take Shoop with him. Shurmur throws like Tom Brady when Shoop is in the vicinity. And his receivers all look as though they’re Pro Bowl-bound.

Running back Ralph Webb does OK, too.

Webb rushed for more than 100 yards against the Vols for the third time in the series and second time against a Shoop defense.

More: How Vols lost to Vanderbilt football 42-24

Webb seemingly got stronger as the game went along. So did his offensive line.

Good thing Jones wasn’t around. He wouldn’t have been able to congratulate his team for its “resolve and resiliency.” Nor would he have been compelled to say, “It’s all about how you finish.”

UT finished 4-8 overall and 0-8 in the SEC. It will be remembered as the worst team in the modern era of Tennessee football.

It also will be remembered fondly by the Shurmur family.

In 2016, Shurmur completed 21 of 34 passes for 416 yards and two touchdowns against Shoop’s UT defense, as the Commodores upset the Vols 45-34 in Nashville. Another year and a different venue brought more of the same.

Shurmur had thrown for two touchdowns by halftime Saturday. He would have had a third if tight end Nathan Marcus hadn’t been cited as an ineligible receiver downfield, erasing a 43-yard touchdown pass to Kalijah Lipscomb. That would have put the Commodores up by two touchdowns.

They weren’t discouraged, though. Even a defense that set an SEC record for most points allowed in conference play looked proficient at times in the second half.

But the story of this game, like last season’s regular-season finale, was Vanderbilt’s offense. Shurmur was 20-for-31 passing for 283 yards and four touchdowns. Some of his completions would have turned NFL heads.

The strength and accuracy of Shurmur's throws reminded you that on any given Saturday UT’s defense could be as bad as its offense. Its defensive struggles against Vanderbilt, which had 529 yards, were reminiscent of the season opener when the Vols beat Georgia Tech in double overtime despite giving up 655 yards.

In between the first and last games, Tennessee was worse on offense than defense. But its new coach should figure out right away the Vols are lacking in both eras.

Especially against their in-state rival.  

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.