BYU does not go indy if Utah does not get an invite to the PAC.
Period. They reacted and reacted nicely but still a reaction. Yes, it was thought about many times before, with lots of arguments on both sides. BYU had always decided to NOT go indy.
It was a knee jerk reaction. It worked out well for BYU - at least so far before you have ever played an actual game as an indy.