It’s Thursday, and you know what that means: time for Mail Call!

Q: How good are the special teams? (RetiredAirForce)

A: Really good. I saw a thing yesterday that ranked special teams groups and had the Aggies in the lower half of the nation and spat out my drink because it was so stupid. Right now, Tyler White and David Olano are first team All-Americans. Their coverage teams are excellent. They’ve blocked a kick. They haven’t had any kicks blocked. The only area where they’ve struggled is the return game — particularly the kick return game, where they’re 136th of 138th. And honestly, who gives a crap? Most kicks are automatic touchbacks. It’s a night and day difference from last year.

Q: The questions I have are ones that have already been beaten to a pulp many times now.

It makes me angry and/or depressed to see this team continue to play this badly.

Maybe this: Do you think it’s more likely that we end up 4-8, or that we end up bowl eligible? (Rick77)

A: If they play as they can — should — they can get to a bowl. But the way they self-sabotage? 4-8 seems very possible.

Q: MP: you have yet opine on why YOU think Hart isn’t playing. You must have an idea or two…. Tell us. (Gruvin1)

A: They still believe Reed can find his 2025 form, and that would be more than enough to win. And Reed practices very, very well. But personally, I’d have a really short hook at this point.

Q: What are three realistic goals for the remainder of the season, ones you hope to see from the team?

A: Significantly improve the pass rush, cut down significantly on explosive plays and find some balance on offense. I think I’d also play some younger players more.

What are two non-negotiable things we need to do/change for the remainder of the season? (ChampKindWFAA8)

Find offensive rhythm and cut down on the explosives. The first is to decide if a change is needed, the latter is to win games.

Q: I know you don’t like to do odds, so just give us your thoughts on:

Likelihood Lynch is toast following this season?

A: I have to think it ain’t looking good for him. Reed’s regression when you’re his sole position coach doesn’t speak well.

Likelihood that we bring in an experienced OC following this season and make Wiggins Co-OC and receiver’s coach?

Unless things change in the final third of the season, I think there’s a good chance that happens.

Same question for Hemphill > Co-DC and position coach?

In spite of an inept pass rush, Hemphill has A&M in 30th in overall defense. I think he’s done a good enough job to leave him alone.

Will Reed go away following this season? (OGHogtide78)

It’s purely speculation, but seems like an amicable divorce may be the best move for all sides.

Q: Is it possible that Reed is in Year One of a two-year NIL deal with A&M? (Please, please, please say it’s absolutely impossible.)

If he is, I don’t see him leaving and taking whatever table scraps he could get at a CUSA or MAC school (if one of them would even take him). (BattalionEx)

A: I can’t say it’s impossible. But I can also say that, if A&M wants to win — and they do — they’ll pay more for another quarterback if they deem it necessary.

Q: 1. Will we have a SPY on their QB to contain him?

A: They’d better. I have to think they will, and I would think his name is Daymion Sanford.

2. Do you still see more hat on hat blocking this week versus having guards pull, etc?

I would rather they keep going hat on a hat. South Carolina has some real speed on the edges.

3. Have you heard any update on ABR and his availability or challenges?

He’s available and supposedly healthy, but he’s not playing a lot. I don’t know if there’s a lack of faith there or something else, but you would think with KC gone and Bussey hurt, he’d have plenty of chances. So far, he’s been irrelevant.

4. Is there one type of offensive play that you think will work or give us an advantage against SCe?

I’d pound away on the ground and then try to hit some deep shots. I do like the quick game to get Reed going early, but they can’t do what they did against Alabama and go super conservative when they get a lead.

5. Is there one player on D who you see could up their game and make a real difference? Who and Why if so.

Anto Saka, for sure. The Aggies need more pressure on the quarterback and he hasn’t been able to provide it. But apparently he’s also been hurt, so if two weeks can get him healthy, then maybe this is the time for him to break out.

6. Will Marcel “see” the middle of the field? (tsip despiser)

I not only hope he’ll see it, but they’ll be some routes run for him there. That’s his bread and butter.

Q: Why do England and Australia tend to produce actors while the U.S. tends to produce movie stars? (QuickDrawMcGraw77)

A: I think it’s a societal issue, and it starts in one word: Shakespeare. If you’re an actor in England, and you can act, you’re highly regarded. In the U.S., if you’re an actor, most people think you’re a future barista. In England, there’s significant effort put in to training actors, not only in college but Shakespearean theater academies. They scout for talent like we do for baseball and football players. It’s amazing how many Brits say they were doing Hamlet and so and so came and saw them and recommended them. And that person had performed Hamlet hundreds of times. I saw it once, read it once, did a paper I got an A on and outside of quoting a few lines as an insult, have not had an interest in it since. But their actors watch others to pick up things like other coaches watch game film.

In the U.S., we don’t have that. We have a couple of universities that have strong theater programs, but otherwise it’s more mom and pop. Cody is in one of them. But if she were to kick butt, there’s nobody to send her to the Royal Shakespeare of Houston. Americans have to be a little more natural, self-taught, and that may force them to focus in certain areas where they excel. I’d say we get all the asskicking roles, but Spider-Man and a recent Superman are both Brits.