BTI's Rants and Ramblings: Forget Expansion, Ditch Vanderbilt

Expansion. Expansion.  Expansion.  That's all we are hearing in the past week when it comes to the SEC.  And that is all fine and good, because that is the way college sports are going these days, and the SEC doesn't want to be left behind.  maybe we get Florida State, giving Florida a conference rival and further dominating that state.  Maybe Texas A&M still does come, which if I was a betting man, I would guess is going to happen.  Clemson, Virginia Tech, and/or Missouri have also been rumored.  And all of those have their advantages.  I don't have a problem with any of those choices.  But how about we look at the other end of the spectrum.  Why exactly does Vanderbilt DESERVE a spot in the SEC anymore?  I say add those 5 teams mentioned above and remove Vandy from the league.  Boom, 16-team mega-conference.  2 major reasons I think this should happen: 1) ON THE FIELD RESULTS -In the 2010-11 athletic season, Vanderbilt won a total of ONE conference championship, a baseball title that they shared with Florida and South Carolina.  Vandy did make the College World Series in that sport.  Other than that, Vandy finished 5th in men's basketball, 3rd in women's basketball, 12th in football, 7th in soccer, 9th in men's tennis, and 6th in women's tennis.   Plus, they do not even field softball or volleyball teams, the only school in the conference to not do so.  Point is, they are the worst team in the conference for overall results.  The baseball team is the only one that is a consistent national title contender.  And even still, they haven't actually won a title.  Most of their non-revenue sports are non-factors, the basketball teams are competitive but not elite, and their football team is a joke.  On a competitive scale, the SEC could do way better. 2) EDUCATION IMPORTANCE IS A MYTH -The SEC stands for Southeastern Conference.  It was created as an ATHLETIC organization of teams.  And as much as athletic directors want to highlight academics as some big important factor, the real truth is that results on the field and in the checkbook is what really matters.  And frankly, Vanderbilt doesn't compete in either.  Now, some people argue Vandy increases the academic profile of the conference.  My response would be SO WHAT?  As a Kentucky fan, tell me that you actually care if Kentucky is in a conference with a high academic profile.  There is nobody that cares.  We follow teams for the SPORT of it, not for academics.  And frankly, does Vandy being an academic power help Kentucky's academics?  No.  And if Vandy were eliminated from the SEC, would they suddenly lose their academic status as an elite US university.  No. So, the question is: Why does the SEC keep Vanderbilt on board, essentially mooching off of football money from the other schools.  Well, the answer is that Vanderbilt was a charter member of the SEC, so there is a history there.  And secondly, the league wants to keep up this myth that academics are important.  But, as it has been shown for the last 30-40 years in the league, winning takes priority over anything else in this league.  But what the league AD's and presidents may not realize is that MOST FANS ARE OK WITH THAT.  Fans don't really care if their players are brilliant at chemistry.  They want wins.  And frankly, Vanderbilt does not provide enough of them.