Texas A&M and Missouri representatives likely will feel great about their new conference home after they attend this week's SEC spring meetings, which begin Tuesday in Destin, Fla. And that's not just because the venue is a resort hotel on the beach.
The conference usually comes across as one big happy family at these meetings. Now, with the addition of Missouri and Texas A&M, it will just be a bigger happy family.
Why not? Nobody gets fired here. The only hot seat is the white sand behind the Sandestin Hilton. All you have to lose is a golf scramble on Thursday.
This might be as laid-back as you will ever see SEC coaches. Even Alabama football coach Nick Saban has been caught smiling.
It's so inviting, I hate to spoil the mood. But the Aggies and Tigers should know: All is not as it appears; the only undercurrent isn't in the Gulf.
Never mind all the plaudits SEC members have been throwing at Missouri and Texas A&M since they were accepted into the conference. Do you really think league coaches are ecstatic that the most competitive conference in the country has become more competitive?
No one should be less enthused than Tennessee. In this past school year, the Vols didn't qualify for a bowl in football, failed to make the NCAA tournament in men's basketball and couldn't even make the SEC tournament in baseball. They're in no position to welcome more competition.
Missouri and Texas A&M might not threaten Alabama football or Kentucky basketball. But they pose a serious threat to the SEC's middle class and below, which includes UT in most sports.
The Aggies have made six of the last seven NCAA men's basketball tournaments, qualified for the last six NCAA baseball tournaments, and played in bowl games the last two seasons. Missouri has made the last four NCAA men's basketball tournaments, seven of the last 10 NCAA baseball tournaments, and played in seven consecutive bowl games.
All of that beats what's going on at Tennessee.
You could argue that the addition of Missouri actually helps UT in football short-term. If the conference hadn't expanded, the old schedule would have been in place. And the old schedule had the Vols playing Arkansas, which beat them by 42 points last season.
The Vols should be better this season. They won't be good enough to bridge a 42-point gap with Arkansas.
With that in mind, Missouri should be welcome at Neyland Stadium in November. But UT's schedule will be less accommodating in 2013.
Although the 2013 SEC schedule hasn't yet been set, you can assume it will include traditional West rival Alabama. You also can assume divisional opponents will continue to rotate venues on a yearly basis.
That means the Vols would be playing at Florida, Alabama and Missouri within the conference. They also will have a non-conference road game against Oregon, the week before they go to The Swamp.
The UT men's basketball and baseball programs shouldn't be celebrating expansion, either.
First-year UT basketball coach Cuonzo Martin won 10 of 16 regular-season conference games in 2011-12 but still couldn't make the NCAA tournament. Now, the conference has put two more superior programs in his way.
As expected, the Vols finished last in the SEC in coach Dave Serrano's first season. They can't help but be better next season.
But they're trying to make headway in the strongest baseball conference in the country. And expansion has made it even stronger.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com. Follow him at http://twitter.com/johnadamskns
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Comments » 41
Ritch_Doctor writes:
Nice article, John but I completely disagree. If anything I would say that Texas A & M and Missouri strengthens Tennessee. It's the shortcomings from both the basketball and football programs that have hurt UT football and basketball as a whole. It has nothing to do with conference expansion--all that does is put the pressure on Dave Hart, Derek Dooley, and Cuonzo to get the athletic program where it needs to be--competing at the highest level. No excuses for either football or the basketball program to be at or near the top with all the university's resources! 40 million dollar football facility...I thought Cuonzo did a great job his first year---third year of Dooley it's time for progress...that's all there is to say! Dave Hart will makes sure this gets turned around because he didn't hire either Martin or Dooley...so it's all on Dooley!
spvol writes:
Just waiting for the day when Adams can place a noun next to a verb without taking a shot at UT. To get better, you have to play against good competition. That is why the Big 10 has such a miserable record against SEC schools.
NashvillePreds writes:
John,
We realize the University of Tennessee is down in baseball and football. Realistically, it may take a change in the leadership of the football team to get where we, the fans, would like to be. Currently, we have the necessary leadership in the position of the athletic director to make a successful change if events unfold to that lead to that logical conclusion.
Successful people do not fear competition. This seems to be a foreign concept to you.
Tennessee will be back, and we will be successful.
On a side note, the juvenile email that you sent to me certainly has provided evidence of your subjective beliefs about the University of Tennessee, and its fans.
Success is cyclical in sports, and our rise is inevitable.
Even your outright cynicism will not prevent Tennessee championships.
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor say anyone notice a weekend Adams has to work he grieves us all? lol. Witch Doctor bet Bruce is cooking out..maybe not?
Bones never lie.
budd#207344 writes:
JA I appreciate your candid views but disagree here. Competition is like the the thing that if it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger. These are just two more teams that UT must strive to get above. Pressure is on Hart and his minions to improve. If not bye bye. Life is tough in the SEC but that's what I pay for, winners.
eb502us#225637 writes:
Perhaps the dumbest article in GoVols history.
And tell us John, what would A&M and Mizzou's bowl record be had they played in the SEC the last few years? How about their record just playing UT's football schedule last year? Furthermore, how would UT's record look having played in the Big 12 the past few years?
One things for certain, had UT switched conferences some 5-6 years ago, Phillip Fulmer would still be UT's coach and you'd be writing the same dumb article about A&M and Mizzou.
DC_your_mom_called writes:
I stopped reading this arsehat a long time ago. Not sure why anyone that enjoys UT sports still does. And I'm not sure why the KNS keeps him.
born2ride writes:
Great article by John Adams. He is just telling the truth.
Fact: Athletics at UT have fallen off to an all time low. Adding new teams with superior programs will only make it harder for the Vols to get out of the SEC cellar.
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
Remember, trolls always believe an Adams article is a great one. He pretty much follows their agenda.
Don't ever expect him to be a cheer leader, however..........he will pretty much always throw his little zingers at U T.
Not a big deal. I don't expect anything else from this guy.
RoadTrip writes:
JA - is that all you have? Is your thought process that superficial? Why bother putting your name on this - although I am glad you did?
Iron toughens iron. Serve up candy like Vandy in expansion and you will lose ground. Stand still and you will wave as the competition passes you by. This isn't primary school where every kid gets a participation certificate and a pat on the head. UT's job is to get it done in the best conference on the national scene - period. The facilities, tradition, and money are there to make it happen. The larger conference simply enhances the stature of UT and all member schools - making it easier to recruit well if the coaching staffs are top tier. Herein lies the problem in football, but not in basketball or baseball.
Vol43 writes:
That's right OC. Adams could qualify as a troll if you know what I mean.
DwayneElizondoMountainDewHerbertCamacho writes:
"They're [the Vols] in no position to welcome more competition."
Holy krap...this is why we our men's athletic program is a mess and our women's program is fast succumbing to the same mind-numbing apathy that has plagued UT sports for decades.
Those who fear competition will be consumed by it. Those who see more competition as an opportunity will thrive. This is not just true for sports, its true for life in America.
So, bring on more competition! If UT needs to get better, then it will have to get better. If that means actually paying competitive prices for talented coaches rather than Dollar General Store salaries...then that's what it means.
I mean, who wants to succeed in anything less than the greatest football conference in the country??? I mean, if that's the attitude fans should take, then lets just ditch the SEC and join the ACC or the Big East.
This is a pathetic attitude and one not deserving of the history of UT athletics.
OwensboroVol writes:
Since I arrived on the Tennessee campus in 1961 as a nerdy freshman there has always been one thing I and everyone I knew was sure of and that was Anybody, anywhere, anytime. We're Tennessee and We may not win but We sure as Hell are not afraid to play anyone. John, You should know that as long as you have been in Knoxville. I was totally disappointed last year when We acted like cowards and bought out of the North Carolina game. Let me ask everyone, did buying out of the game help the outcome of our season? I don't think so but it may have cost us some recruits who don't want to play somewhere that does things like that. I thought the uproar was sure to keep that from happening again. Obviously, John, you seem to think that We are afraid to play some teams. I hope and believe that it isn't so.
BigOrangeSmoker writes:
once again jboy thinks he knows something ROTFLMGDAO
UTistheOLEMISSoftheEAST writes:
Good column by Adams.
The rest of the sports world just continues to chuckle. ut is still ut. Let's keep it that way!
chbradshaw writes:
I wish I could right-click on Adams' column and a pop-up screen would explain to me the point of his ramblings.
Or possibly right-click on his picture and a pop-up would explain why his shallow opinion is more news-worthy than that of a wino living under a bridge north of downtown. (I apologize to all winos...I'm sure some of many of them can write much better than Adams with more interesting content)
Finally, I wish Knoxville had a anti-virus program for journalism that would quarantine and permanently destroy the newspaper malware known as "John Adams."
The funny thing is he is so obsolete he will not even get the last analogy.
69grad writes:
I cancelled my subscription to KNS as a result of John Adams' disdain for Tennessee. And, he is a poor writer.
SevenT writes:
This writer is a complete loser. Talk about kicking the dog when he is down.
Adams: Everyone knows Tennessee is down right now so why don't you get off your lazy A and find some new material. Or is that to much work?
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
The reasoning here makes no sense. What does the addition of Missouri and Texas A&M have to do with TN making it to a bowl or making the NCAA tourney? In fb you still play 12 games and if the two new teams are any good it means the rest of the conference has to deal with it too. You should welcome the fact that Alabama and LSU have someone else to deal with. For the record Tn is not at an all time low nor in the cellar.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
JA is probably one of these trolls baiting his own articles..And agreed, BP got his chef's hat on grilling some serious kosher cuisine..
Razzle writes:
Another ''cryin in your beer'' column. Glad this joker isn't a Tennessee fan.
Razzle writes:
Good comments. I agree.
twovols#669523 writes:
Can we get Adams a job somewhere else ? I think not or he would have been gone long ago. What a sorry attempt at writing something about UT !
packagestore writes:
JA's job is to gather as big an audience as possible and maintain them for as long as possible. It is not about true journalism, it is about advertisers and generating enough revenue to keep the presses rolling.
Three (3) daily papers within the SEC area are now going to publish only 3 days a week. Times......they are a changing. You get what you pay for and this site is free. You do the math.
Grantland Rice is not posting anytime soon.
thevoice writes:
It's easier to win a 2-team conference title than a 40-team conference title. Therefore, the more teams in a conference, the harder it is to win it. And for that reason, I never liked SEC expansion. What's wrong with the way it was?
Southland writes:
John Adams writes for one purpose and that is to tick people off and it works. We read his stuff just to be mad. It doesnt matter which town he would live in. He would write negative things about the local team. He is good at his job and that is getting his readers to come back again and again. If you want him to go away simply dont read his articles. He is correct at times and just critical at others. Ignore him. It is kind of like watching Fox News or CNN. Both are biased and if you dont like the spin they put on things then dont watch them.
thevoice writes:
1-7 in the SEC spells cellar to me.
tennezz writes:
That`s weakend...You spelled it wrong.
AllforTenn writes:
I cancelled six years ago due to this hack. Bring back a Tom Siler type sports editor and I will subscribe again, but not while this bozo has that title.
tennezz writes:
Ya never did no much bout spellin.
manniesghost1903 writes:
Now that the UT Athletic Program is in trouble in all majopr sports, Adams next goal (along with his buddies at the Tennessean Sports DEepartment) is to convince the UT Administration to withdraw from the SEC and go to a weaker conference. Only then will he be satified.
Tau_of_Tennessee writes:
The logic among most of the opinions in disagreement to JA’s premise would suggest that the optimum football schedule would be our current SEC schedule and add non-conference games against FSU, Oklahoma, and USC and Ohio State. That would certainly alleviate any concern for considering a bowl trip as part of your winter vacation plans.
tobytyler writes:
Another weekend, another cheapshot. Thanks John, I can always count on you.
BankerVol writes:
ESAD John Adams. You worthless POS!
frblalack writes:
Just now reading posts. Yours is side-splitting!
ROFLMAO!
All Vols - All the Time - Vol for Life - Believe!
rockytop321 writes:
Yep DS, now that the Big East has added to their strength and numbers, none of their teams has a chance of getting to the big dance. Ha ha ha. Stupid logic, why this clown is allowed to remain in Knoxville is beyond me.
DannyVol writes:
John Adams needs competition at the KNS for his job, which would include any other writer on the staff or most kids two years removed from journalism school. As far as the Vols, a program in the top 10 all-time can embrace whoever or whatever the "phooey" it wants to embrace.
Bubba_Knows writes:
Fire Bruce Pearl!!!!! Yes, I have been drinking.
FanNotSheep writes:
I think it would make sense to wait and see how dangerous the Missouri and A&M offenses and/or defenses are AFTER they play Alabama, LSU, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas and Florida.
Tennessee will be better soon. If not with Dooley then with whoever they eventually hire -- a successful but unproven young coach they won't have to pay much to get -- who sort of like Pearl will win quick and all the big wheels, little wheels and squeaky wheels will be back on the Big Orange bandwagon.
Then he will probably get caught cheating by the NCAA, or get caught cheating on his wife, or will hire the wrong coordinator after one of his gets promoted to a head coach somewhere, or he will leave for a better job and UT fans will have our feelings hurt again.
See, there for a minute how excited you were? But now you aren't? I can run circles around Adams for sheer speculation any day.
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
I did in fact send an e-mail to our esteemed
'lover' of Tennessee sports.........Adams.
I'll probably hear from him tomorrow no doubt. Simply put, I invited him to check out the admiration here on GVX, to see what he thinks of our opinions of the "fantastic"
columns he writes.
Oh, the little zinger he got was that Tom Siler and Marvin West he'll never be.
volboy81 writes:
you would think that John Adams is old enough (he looks it anyway) to know about cycles in sports, but apparently this concept and truth has completely escaped him. Either that, or hes just so bent on dissing Tennessee anytime he can, that he doesnt see it. It seems like the KNS & the rest of the area media is in a down cycle too...just like UT...Around here we used to have people like Ben Byrd. Now we have people like John Adams.
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