Amidst the uproar surrounding Texas A&M leaving the Big 12, the idea of SMU rising up and playing in a bigger conference began to circulate.

In an article by ESPNDallas, SMU Athletic Director Steve Orsini was quoted saying, “We want the best regional conference we can get in this part of the country. Strength is in expansion, not minimalism, like having 10 members in the Big 12, when four of the BCS conferences have 12 members. Let’s add to it.”

Within days of SMU expressing interest in joining a BCS conference, a new campaign, SMU2BCS, sprung up online.

The campaign includes a website with reasons in favor of the move as well as endorsements by Dallas public figures and a growing social media presence.

“It’s time for SMU to be recognized as the all-around university that it is,” Hanson said. “Athletically, we want to play with the best.”

A small group made up of members of the SMU Letterman’s board, Mustang Club board and citizens of Dallas who are non-SMU affiliated started the SMU2BCS campaign.

“It’s become an organic movement within the SMU community,” Hanson said.

SMU2BCS has gathered support from Mark Cuban and Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings.

“Dallas is the football capital of the world,” Hanson said. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t have the schools in our region playing here.”

SMU2BCS is actively seeking the support of alumni and Dallas citizens for their campaign.

“Texas is a special place,” Hanson said. “The fabric of the state is pride and football is at the heart of that. We want to touch on that fabric and say this is the right thing for all of us.”

Although the benefits to SMU are clear, Hanson and the SMU2BCS group know that their hope could be dashed by the conference at any time.

“The way I look at it, there’s no downside,” Hanson said. “We have nothing to lose.”