Think of the election as a Mack Brown led Longhorn football team. We start off the season with a few decent performances, nothing flashy. We are ranked fine in the polls, but our fanbase thinks we should be higher. Our rivals claim that we are overrated and haven’t played anyone. Deep down, we know that we have been holding our best plays for the OU game. We know that if we just get a chance to show our stuff on a national stage, everyone else will see what we see in this team, and we will finally get the national respect we deserve. Then the OU game happens. Our play-calling is shit (GDGD). Most of the negative commentary surrounding the team turns out to be correct and we get blown out. Yes, we will always support the team. And yes, our rivals will always talk shit. But the impression made to the general public and poll voters that day will stick with us for the rest of the season, even if they didn’t specifically watch that game. The narrative has been set. Last week’s debate was the OU game.