They don't have the academic limitations when it comes to recruiting (like Stanford, Cal, and UCLA). They have a recent history of success that they can point to (unlike Arizona and Washington State). They are located in a thriving city (unlike Washington State, Tucson, Beaverton, or Eugene), that is located within a relatively easy drive of Southern California (unlike all the Northwest schoools).

There is absolutely no reason why Oregon State can compete and Utah can't.

Also, college football is cyclical, and your references to Arizona, WSU, and Cal as consistent bottom feaders is unwarranted. Each of those schools has had decent success in the past two decades. WSU and Arizona have both been to Rose Bowls. Cal was the second winningest program in the Pac 12 for most of the 2000's. If not for USC's complete dominance during the 2000's, Call would have a couple Rose Bowls as well.