Reader wants to become a literary contributor to my column. Good luck with that | Adams

Sometimes, I tend to overlook the obvious, which helps explain why I’ve never informed readers on how they can become a literary contributor to this column, which has yet to be eliminated from Pulitzer Prize consideration.

Dan writes: Daily reader, especially of all things Vols. How do I become a member of your email group?

My response: It’s simple.

Start off by emailing me a resume. Also, write a 500-word essay on “Why I Want to be a Literary Contributor to John Adams’ column?”

Then, send me several references, not including next of kin. If one of your references is already in the group, please mention him or her.

That’s all you need for the first phase of the application process.

Next, I will send you topics on three consecutive days and ask you to respond as if you were trying to have your email published. Your emails will be judged on your quickness to respond as well as your creativity.

Don’t worry about spelling. Some of my contributors still can’t spell Josh Heupel’s name. I will clean up the spelling unless you miss the word by more than three letters. In that case, I will include it in my column for the purpose of ridicule.

Thanks for your interest.

Ken writes: John, you show great patience in dealings with your readers. Most can’t comprehend the idea that you don’t work for the Tennessee Athletic Department. A reporter’s job is to report the news, good or bad. A columnist’s job is to offer his option, popular or not.

As far as the worst hire, it has to be Fulmer. He hired Pruitt and Harper, plus fleeced UT for millions of dollars. Mike Hamilton was the best hire. He saved UT hoops with the Pearl hire. PS- Dave Hart sucked as well. Seemed like he had “little man disease.“

My response: My survey column on Tennessee’s worst hires has generated more responses than any other question.

Why? Probably because I tapped into readers' deep-seeded resentment for the past failures of Tennessee administrators and coaches. If you want to vent, you have come to the right place.

But in the future, please refrain from criticizing the physical appearance of your subjects. I didn’t think Hart was that short. I did think he had the darkest hair in the athletic department.

Pat writes: Just because people keep watching college football doesn’t mean the change is good or that it shouldn’t be reversed. Put the PAC 12 back together and reform the Power 5 conferences so that we have a return of regional rivals.

We have to also enforce the requirements to play one team from each of the other power 5 conferences every year. No more patsies.

My response: The disintegration of the Pac-12 shouldn’t have happened. I blame its demise on awful leadership.

I wish we could could bring it back. And I wish we could bring back the Southwest Conference. If NIL deals had come along in the early 1980s, the SWC still would be with us. In fact, it would be flourishing.

It was ahead of its time in rewarding college athletes for their contributions.

Shemp writes: Having eight teams in the top 15 must be Greg “it’s always about the money” Sanctimonious’ wildest dream.

ADAMS: Readers divided on possible super conference in college football. Here's my advice.

However, those rankings are based on the teams’ independent strengths. Most of those teams have to play a schedule loaded with much of the other seven.

Last year, the Pac 12 started out with a lot of high placed teams until they started playing each other.

My response: The 247Sports preseason rankings have nine SEC teams among the top 19. That’s quite a compliment, but – as you point out – unattainable.

When I voted in The Associated Press poll, my preseason rankings were based on how I thought teams would be ranked in the final top-25 polls look. That requires you to weigh schedules heavily.

Here’s how I would rank the top SEC teams if I were compiling a preseason top 25: (1) Georgia, (3) Ole Miss, (7) Texas, (8) Tennessee.

I believe all four will make the playoff.

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.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Reader wants to join my email group. I spell out the requirements