ESPN released an article where they rank all the FBS programs. The main criteria seem to be national championships and Heisman Trophy winners. BYU falls in at #27, tied with Georgia Tech. Certainly not a bad spot on the list, however, UCLA lands at #18 with almost identical acclaims as BYU. Maybe a jump into the BIG 12 and a handful of conference championships there will help bolster the Cougars national recognition.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17336754/alabama-crimson-tide-notre-dame-fighting-irish-ohio-state-buckeyes-oklahoma-sooners-usc-trojans-lead-list-college-football-blue-bloods