I kind of agree with you, esp since KY has NEVER made it to the SECCG. If they do, that would leave Vandy as the only East team to have never made it (and, realistically, they never will). I think every West team, including TAMU, has, at least once. Unless Ole Miss never has, but I think they did . . . once.
As for not having to play the Bama juggernaut, yes, I'd rather not be embarrassed by them. We can beat the Puppies, finish 11-1, not play for the SEC title, and still get a good "New Years' Six" bowl (Sugar? Peach?). On the flip side, it would be somewhat frustrating to have gone 11-1 and not played for the SEC title, but that's life. Finishing 11-1 will not just help recruiting, it would set us up as a true contender in 2019.