The challenge that SMU faces in its pursuit to become Dallas’ home college team is the same any college in or around a metropolitan area faces, according to Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson.

When asked if he felt the perception barrier with SMU and Dallas at least partially stemmed from its University Park location, and a difference in demographics between the city of Dallas and the school -- Johnson told the Dallas Morning News, “Absolutely, I think that’s the case.”

“I think that’s actually a common dynamic across the country, where you have an institution that is in a college town, but near a major metropolitan area -- those town-gown relations are often sort part of that dynamic,” Johnson said. “How much does the big urban metropolis embrace the university and vice versa. And I think that’s kind of been part of the narrative with Dallas and SMU.”

Johnson, who assumed office in June, is going to do his best to improve those relations. He’s already attended two Mustangs games this year, and most recently won a bet of barbecue with the Fort Worth mayor after SMU’s 41-38 win over No. 25 TCU on Saturday.

He’s been supportive of the “Dallas” jerseys, and has one of his own. The tower in downtown Dallas was lit up with SMU’s letters and colors on Saturday night. He’s an all-out fan of the team. On Wednesday, he welcomed players and coach Sonny Dykes to bring the skillet to City Hall.

“There’s a ton of city pride,” Johnson said. “I think that the relationship between SMU and Dallas is only going to get stronger over the time that I’m mayor, because I believe that SMU and their athletics should be Dallas’ college athletic program.”

SMU is the only Division I school in the city of Dallas. Of course, there is Dallas Baptist, but it is only D-1 in baseball. There’s North Texas in Denton, and a couple high-major programs in Baylor, Texas, Texas Tech and Texas A&M all within a reasonable drive.

The excitement around the program has definitely picked up. If that translates into higher attendance numbers on Oct. 5, when SMU hosts Tulsa on national television, remains to be seen. Thus far, there have been many empty seats in the stands for the first two home games, but that was before the upset win.

As the Mustangs athletic department has worked to rebrand itself over the last few months, it has a powerful advocate leading the city. Johnson has been a fan of SMU for years, even before he became mayor. In fact, he joked, he’s been told he’s not allowed to miss any more games given SMU’s record with him in attendance.

“I think people in Dallas think it’s cool that SMU is doing well,” Johnson said, “and that SMU is reaching out to the Dallas community, and the Dallas community is reaching back to SMU.”

Twitter: @SamBlum3