John Adams: Tennessee Vols shouldn't have to play Alabama every year

John Adams | Knoxville

You shouldn’t have been surprised last week when Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs suggested the Tigers should swap places with Missouri and move to the SEC East. After all, who wants to be in the same football division with Alabama?

Jacobs didn’t mention his archrival. He just talked about the importance of demographics and geography.

In fact, the Auburn administration should be studying the feasibility of moving the entire campus to somewhere in South Georgia. Showing that kind of commitment might get the SEC’s attention. Otherwise, there’s no escaping Alabama, which makes you question Tennessee’s predicament.

As a card-carrying member of the SEC East, Tennessee isn’t required to play Alabama every year in football. It does so voluntarily.

And what does it have to show for treasuring tradition and maintaining Alabama as its permanent rival?

Ten consecutive losses by a combined count of 351-119.

I know the counterpoint: Rivalries are cyclical. There are ups and downs in every series.

But here’s Tennessee’s problem: When Alabama is up, it’s really up. It doesn’t just have a good stretch. It goes full dynasty.

►ADAMS: Will Butch Jones be back for next springs meetings?

Bear Bryant managed one dynasty. Nick Saban is overseeing another one.

The way Alabama is rolling under Saban, there’s no relief in sight for anyone in its way.

That’s why UT would be better off not having the Tide as a regular opponent. The SEC also would be better off from a competitive standpoint without permanent non-divisional rivals.

Playing Alabama obviously puts UT at a huge disadvantage in its division. Its scheduling disadvantage will be magnified this season and next.

Not only will Tennessee play at Alabama this fall. It also will play LSU from the SEC West. Next season, Tennessee will draw Auburn from the West.

What are the only other programs other than Alabama to win the West in the past 11 years? Auburn and LSU.

There’s more chance of Tennessee losing to those teams than anybody in the East. Playing the best teams from the West also will make the Vols more vulnerable to their divisional opponents.

After playing Alabama in Tuscaloosa this season, Tennessee will take on Kentucky the following Saturday in Lexington. Last season, the Vols had Kentucky at home after playing Tennessee Tech a week earlier. Even without those advantages, they didn’t exactly overwhelm the Wildcats, finally prevailing 49-36 despite giving up 635 yards.

►RELATED: Butch Jones trying to explain himself to fans, and it's not working

UT will close the 2017 regular season with back-to-back home games against LSU and Vanderbilt. Because LSU usually is one of the most physical teams in the league, that might not leave the Vols in the best of shape against Vanderbilt, which beat them last season and has won three of the past five games in the series.

UT athletic director John Currie won't advocate dropping Alabama as a permanent rival. Better to get run over by the Tide than appear to run away from them. It’s a matter of pride.

But eventually, the SEC likely will do UT a favor and eliminate permanent non-divisional opponents. That won’t help Auburn, though.

It's stuck with Alabama.

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.