The use of an analogy is such a common way to make a point. Those making the point should also be careful as to what they reference.
Take this one, for example:
“Texas isn’t just the anchor for the Big 12,” our source said, “it’s the whole damn ship. Texas and OU, really, are the whole ship. Everybody else is just along for the ride.”
Whoooeeee! And what ship might they be thinking of?
This one, perhaps?
I suppose it could have been worse.... some fool in Texas might be tempted to say that the Big 12 was like a really really fast race car, with Texas doing the driving: