The games against Texas, Wisconsin, Michigan, LSU, USC, Oregon, Ohio St(?), etc. are what make Independence fun. Its not often I look back on Independence and glory in the wins over Georgia Tech, Cal, Washington St, Miss State, Arizona, and Oregon St. Its nice to beat those teams, and it might make BYU look better as a program, but I wonder if it really does. For me it comes down to this:

Would I care more about beating Colorado St, Houston, Memphis, or San Diego St as BYU fights for a conference championship in late October, than I do about beating Miss State when BYU is 5-3?

If BYU can still play the big games early in the season, at this point I'm not so sure exhibition games in October or November are more interesting than playing for a potential AAC or MWC Championship down the stretch. I never imagined it would be the case, but other than labels, there really isn't a big difference between beating a non-elite P5s and typical good G5s.