Anyone? I won't include crap from the 1890's or anything way, way back. But, what's the worst ever? I'd probably go with 2008. In my mind, that was an 8/9-loss team that overachieved at the end of the season.
Last year was pretty bad as well. I don't think the '08 team was that terrible outside of the abomination that was the quarterback position.
Yeah, it's a confusing question. Give the same coaching staffs to all three teams and 2010 loses 100% of the time. I still have a hard time believing there's ever really been a worse crew than the 2008 team. Seriously. After the Wyoming loss we had lost to two teams that got their coaches fired. Our only SEC win was over a team in the same situation. We had zero wins over teams over .500. It was a borderline miracle we rose up and defeated two bowl-bound (albeit still shitty) teams to close out the season. Otherwise, it's easily the worst season in Tennessee history.
2010- Worst roster UT has had in some time 2008- Least enthusiasm, energy, was a miserable season all around 2005- Biggest flop
My memory goes back to the late '70s. I have to say that the '88 team is the worst. They got absolutely sledgehammered by people early in the year. Washington State scored 52 points with Steve Broussard out injured. Had he played and Dennis Erickson not chosen to call off the dogs, the Cougars would have scored 80 that day.
Wade Houston's last basketball team was the worst team I've ever seen in a UT uniform. Raleigh's last squad was pushing them.
Air might be a tougher opponent than the 88 defense. If they employed the run run run strategy of late in the year, it would not be a contest.
I was only 10 yrs old, but in 1977 the Vols were 4 and 7. I was probably more concerned with the worst 5th grade teacher ever, but I do remember gloom, doom and agony on Saturday afternoons.... and that was just in John Ward's voice.