Great read.
Lots of expert opinions from mostly pro BYU guys.
My takes from the article
BYU needs to be in a conference. P5 probably isn't an option due to LGBT issues and political correctness.
Stronger academics are limiting recruiting. Guys like Lenny Gomes and Vai Sikahema probably wouldn't have gotten in to BYU today. HC got much more strict after 2004, leading to more BYU athletes getting suspended.
LDS athletes seem to be looking at other schools more. 3-9 football and a disappointing basketball season last year won't help.
This was a longggggg article, but well worth the read. The sky isn't necessarily falling, but the athletic problems facing BYU are real.