Understood your point, but disagreed that they have not had some success nationally.  They will NEVER be Alabama, USC, ND, Michigan, Clemson etc etc.  Can they end the year ranked more often than not, I think they can and to me this is national presense.

I don't live in Utah so don't understand your points as I don't listen to Utah radio.  Utah has more success and dominated BYU in the w/l category recently.  I am sure the stations play to the listeners.....ie BYU and Utah fans who the game is important to.  I don't care what team you are, you are judged by your record vs your rival.  Look at Michigan, they can beat everyone but OSU and the coach is on the hot seat (this goes back many coaches).  BYU is not different.

In short, Utah will not be a national powerhouse, it can be a consistently ranked team (not sure about BYU), beating your rival does matter and is a measuring stick for every program.