trophy...Whoop de doo.
And getting to a big bowl every now and then? Nothing compared to seeing USC, Washington, Michigan State, Missouri, et al, playing in Provo, not to mention having the whole country see them play most weeks in college football's greatest venues.
You must have been thrilled by "Participation" trophies when you were young. Do you envy whoever won last year's MWC title? Can you remember who they were? (I can't.)
You can bet if Boise State or Utah State had the assets, following, TV contract and broadcast capability, they'd be independent in a New York minute. The teams in the podunk G5 conferences are humiliating to play against if you aspire to the big stage.