Here are some quick thoughts on Vanderbilt’s embarrassing 34-0 loss at No. 18 Houston on Saturday evening:

What it means: Any boost in momentum the Commodores may have felt from Week 8’s win against Missouri is long gone. Vanderbilt’s frustrating loss to the Cougars all but closes the book on the Commodores’ postseason chances. At 3-5, the Commodores would have to win three of their final four regular season games, and nothing the offense has done to date would suggest they are capable of doing that.

What I liked:

  • As it has for the majority of the season, the Vanderbilt defense was pretty good while playing against one of the nation’s most dynamic offenses. Unfortunately, the offense turned the ball over with great frequency, often leaving the Commodores to defend a short field.
  • Though they did not win the turnover battle due to offensive woes, the Commodores defense did force a pair of Houston turnovers in the third quarter.
  • After spending most of the first half spinning its wheels, Vanderbilt sent Johnny McCrary out at quarterback to begin the second half. He took the Commodores deep into Houston territory before RB Josh Crawford fumbled.
  • RB Ralph Webb turned in another workman-like effort for the Commodores. He ran for 99 yards on 26 attempts.

What I didn’t like:

  • The entire offensive effort for Vanderbilt. The Commodores turned the ball over four times, which was responsible for 21 of Houston’s points.
  • Vanderbilt started freshman QB Kyle Shurmur for the second consecutive game and he struggled. He hasn’t shown himself capable of leading the offense yet, and it is beginning to look like giving up his redshirt season midway through the year may have been a mistake.
  • Through three quarters, Commodores quarterbacks had completed five passes to Vanderbilt receivers and three to Houston defenders. Enough said, right?
  • McCrary has an interception problem. In a game in which he didn’t start, he tacked on two more interceptions to his season total, which has climbed to 12 now.
  • Vanderbilt freshman OL Justin Skule had to be carted off the field with an air cast on his left leg in the first quarter with what appeared to be a significant injury. OL Blake Fromang also left the game in the first quarter with an apparent left knee injury.
  • Commodores DT Adam Butler also suffered an apparent left ankle injury in the first quarter, he was taken from the field in a wheelchair.
  • Shurmur was hit in the pocket late in the third quarter, knocking him out of the game. He appeared to be a little woozy on the sidelines, as the television cameras found him visibly shaken shortly after the hit.

Who’s the man: Houston QB Greg Ward Jr. While his numbers don’t jump off the paper, especially when compared to some of his huge performances from earlier in the season, he was the guy that made the Houston offense go. If there was any question about his ability to perform against a top-level SEC defense, they were answered with his gritty effort on Saturday.

Key play: In the midst of scoreless first quarter, Vanderbilt inserted McCrary for the third Commodores drive of the game in place of Shurmur. McCrary threw an interception on first down, which was returned inside the 10 and led to Houston scoring the first touchdown of the game and gave the Cougars momentum that they would not relinquish.

What’s next: The Commodores will travel to Gainesville to take on SEC-East leading Florida in Week 10. Vanderbilt is 1-3 in the SEC, and is one of just two teams remaining on Florida’s SEC schedule. The Gators can clinch the SEC East with a victory. Vanderbilt must win three of its next four games to finish with the six wins necessary to qualify for the postseason. After Florida, the Commodores will play Kentucky, Texas A&M and Tennessee.