It’s THursday night, so you know what that means: Mail call!

Q: Why would a player in today’s environment delay committing? Is he not getting the high offers he thinks he deserves? Outside pressure wants a specific school to enter the bidding? Thinking injuries might pile up, and that would increase the offers?

A: It could be one or all of those. Some guys need more time to decide, but some may be finding out nobody wants to hit their number. It’s a gamble for guys waiting until the fall; if they have a great season, the offers and money may increase. If he doesn’t or gets hurt, welp…

How do you like our match-up with USC? (Lufkin Ag)

I don’t. USC has better starting pitching at this point, and if Aiden Sims can’t go, the Aggies are at a huge disadvantage. Two things in A&M’s favor: USC doesn’t play well on the road and their hitting can’t hold a candle to the Aggies. 

Q: I understand your point about the unregulated world of NIL, and I agree with Coach Elko’s belief that it will bankrupt some institutions. So, what is the answer? The states and foundations control the schools, so I see no reason for the federal government to regulate it. The current governing body has been castrated by the courts and seems unwilling to do their job. So, do we form a new governing body, make new rules and hope that it works? (NemoJones)

A: I have been advocating for a new governing body for a long time, because the NCAA has become (by its own volition) an impotent many making machine. They barely govern and refuse to take a stand on critical issues. If people want something that may work, they’re going to need a governing body with teeth. The NCAA ain’t it.

Q: How will the downfall start? Some team just going to drop NIL and sign whomever wants to play football? Will some team cancel their season? Or maybe just drop their football program? Not everyone brings in 100,000 people every week and has 600,000 alum. (98 Percenter)

A: Somebody’s going to pull back the curtain and air all the dirty laundry and it will eventually be enough that the regular fan is repulsed and stops watching. College football is unique compared to other major sports in that there’s far more loyalty and personal affiliation. If programs can’t keep their best players around because other teams are buying them, the product becomes diluted and fans will emotionally rage quit. 

Q: What’s Camara’s real story? (Ricky)

A: He says he wants to wait and concentrate on his senior season. I don’t have any reason to disbelieve him, though it flies in the face of what everyone else is doing.

Q: How do Title IX requirements to equalize spending between men’s and women’s sports affect NIL and revenue sharing? Or do they even enter the conversation? It seems as if they haven’t so far. (3rd Gen Ag)

A: They don’t. It’s up to each respective athletic department to determine how much money goes where. Football and basketball get the lion’s share; most baseball programs still aren’t giving out full scholarships, though A&M is. Most athletic departments make sure women’s sports get a chunk of the money, but it’s not even close to an even split.

Q: A tangent. Does title IX have any teeth/meaning in this new world? When will non revenue sports just start getting scrapped at universities? (ABell)

A: Arkansas scrapped their tennis programs last month, then brought them back last week after alumni ponied up to pay for it. I think we’re at the breaking point, and it’s going to take deep-pocketed and interested alums to keep them operating.

Q: What do you think of Ted Cruz’s College Sports Bill? (H273)

A: It’s not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but at least it’s something. If they can get it passed remains to be seen, but at least they’re finally trying.