plus they got lucky and had a great coach in waiting in Chris Peterson after Hawkins left. I am a fan of both BSU and BYU and even attended BSU so I'm not saying that as a slap against BSU.
They've also done a good job of building culture and an innovative offense, things that BYU hasn't been as good at. But lets not kid ourselves, not having an honor code immediately opens them up to a LOT of kids that BYU would never even look at and then comparing the academic standards it is much, much more difficult to get into and stay in BYU.
Finally BSU had 1 shining moment against Oklahoma on national tv in what is still the most amazing bowl game a lot of people have ever seen...it came at the right time, and the right place and it really made Boise State a household name.