A stat has to take in to account the variables present when that data used to create the statistic was recorded. In this case, you have to consider opponent SOS, opponent scoring D PPG ranks, points per possession, etc to be able to adjudicate whether a claimimg of a "17th ranked" offense has any validity or merit. Adjusted offensive rankings have BYU in the 40s, while for BYUs opponents in 2014 the defensive numbers are between bad and abysmal, further minimizing the true efficiency of BYUs offense.
Point is, you can find almost any start to back your argument up. Not all stats and data are valid in supporting a stance.
FTR, nothing I posted above diminished my support of BYU football. It is simply putting results in perspective.