... that BYU does. What they have that we don't have is a deal with a NY6 bowl. Under the right circumstances, they can play in the Orange Bowl, but there is a limit as to how many times they get that berth over the next decade of the deal. Notre Dame also has a deal to participate in the ACC's non-access bowls based on their ranking vs ACC teams.

It would be sweet if BYU could swing a scheduling deal like Notre Dame's with a P5 conference, one that included access to bowls, but BYU is a long way from being able to bring that kind of value to a P5 league and the league that was most in need of a boost was the ACC. If BYU could go on an 80s type run as an indy while another P5 conference struggles and misses the playoffs, we might position ourselves for a ND type deal with that conference, or in the case of the B12, an invite.

It always comes back to just a few things. Money, exposure, scheduling and wins. Keep taking care of those things and the future will ultimately take care of itself. Right now, scheduling is improving and that should lead to more money from ESPN. The exposure is already there. The wins need improvement, but only by a couple wins per season. BYU needs a few 10-win, ranked seasons over the next few years to keep the perception where it needs to be. That'll be a taller order with the tougher schedules, but all four of those factors feed off each other. Hopefully the better schedules, better money and national exposure can elevate recruiting and coaching to where the 10 win seasons become more frequent.

Notre Dame has it's rep intact as an independent. BYU is still building one and it'll take some time.