Any ideas?
If you aren't a middling PAC12 program (you seem to disagree with that observation, and think Utah is near the top of the PAC12), then explain the lower regarded bowl games.
Like you, I love the Las Vegas Bowl, Foster Farms, and Sun Bowl too, but I've never heard anyone seriously say they are top tier games. They are lower tier PAC12 bowls, for the middling teams.
You guys used to go to the Fiesta and Sugar Bowls... I don't see that happening anymore for you. Middling is middling.