Political Expert: 1st Debate is 'Make or Break Moment' for Romney

For the first time they will be on the same stage, facing each other.

The two candidates for president will make their case to the American public, trying to persuade voters their way is the right way.

According to Larry Jacobs, Political Science professor at the University of Minnesota, Humphrey Institute, for Mitt Romney, this is a make or break moment.

Romney's behind in the national pools and needs momentum to catch up with the president in the final months of the campaign.

But Jacobs says debates generally don't lend themselves to a candidate trying to switch the direction of a campaign. So the task is a steep one for Romney.

Obama's tactic is simpler, lower expectations and portray Obama as being out of practice and inexperienced with debating. That way even a mediocre performance from the president will look like he won the debate.

Don't expect either candidate to lay out any specific policy proposals, Jacobs thinks the candidates will mostly reiterate what you've already heard during their stump speeches.

"Going into the debate Mitt Romney has a bit of an advantage. Just stepping on the stage with the President of the United States is an equalizer. But also we just don't know that much about Mitt Romney and I think as people get to know Mitt Romney, there will be some folks who will be surprised, pleasantly surprised," said Jacobs.

Also Jacobs says keep an eye out for the phrase "middle class". He expects the president will use that phrase multiple times tomorrow night to paint Mitt Romney as being out of touch with the middle class.

And watch Romney as he tries to look for slips Obama will make especially on issues the president wants to stay away from, like turmoil in the Middle East.