Since we've gone independent, our record has been 56-35, going 3-3 in bowls. Our confirmed payouts from those bowls was $4,260,000 + whatever the Miami Beach Bowl paid. (Was never disclosed)
In that same space of time, Boise has gone 73-20, with 3 conference championships, and has gone 5-2 in bowls, including a NY6 bowl win. Their payouts? $12,259,500.
Personally, I'd rather be in a conference, winning championships, making NY6 bowl games, and actually earning decent money from the bowl games we go to.