Most people have circled this game as the most difficult game of our season, maybe outside of the mental block usually associated with OU. We have only lost this year in blowout fashion. Therefore, I would think most would expect a blowout and be somewhat relieved by anything other than a blowout loss. In other words, I don't think that one more blowout loss this season is the difference between Mack being remembered fondly or not. He is perceived by some as lucky for having achieved what he has and otherwise not a very remarkable coach. He is perceived by others as a once great coach who is past his prime currently, but who deserves to be recognized as elite within the context of UT history. This is the group in which I fall. I believe he did the right thing in trying to bring us back. Only someone with a loser mentality would have quit at the first sign of trouble. I would expect him to have made an effort to rebuild. I don't feel like he wronged anyone in that effort. It may turn out that it doesn't work, but I admire the grit involved with the effort especially considering he would have to put himself on national display in the process. He risks being exposed as a has been at best. He bet on himself and I can dig that. (I recognize that doesn't encapsulate the entire fanbase, but those seem to be the two most populated camps)
In the minds of either group, this game will not be the deciding factor. There is too much history to point to that justifies the opinions. Look, I get that the ags are doing better than they have in the past and our recruiting appears to be down and that the fear is that we will fall into some dark hole of irrelevancy never to be heard from again. I just don't subscribe to that fear. We are, by God, The University of Texas, and when we decide this experiment has gone on long enough and its time to climb the hill again, I know the world will snap back on to its axis and we will retake our spot at the top.
In the minds of either group, this game will not be the deciding factor. There is too much history to point to that justifies the opinions. Look, I get that the ags are doing better than they have in the past and our recruiting appears to be down and that the fear is that we will fall into some dark hole of irrelevancy never to be heard from again. I just don't subscribe to that fear. We are, by God, The University of Texas, and when we decide this experiment has gone on long enough and its time to climb the hill again, I know the world will snap back on to its axis and we will retake our spot at the top.