The first thing I will say is that the old MWC paradigm is gone. Going back to the MWC with Utah and TCU in the top 25 every year with multiple BCS appearances is not an option. This analysis is forward looking.

1) Now that most (all?) P5 conferences require their members to play at least one other P5 team OOC, scheduling premier teams is more difficult for G5 teams. The majority of P5 teams are trying to make a bowl game or win their conference, playing a brutal OOC schedule doesn't help with either of those goals. BYU counts as a P5 game for most (all?) P5 schools and is an attractive choice.

We aren't too imposing, will travel anywhere, have a ton of open dates, and will give them a national televised game when they make the return trip.

BYU as a G5 is very unappealing. Harder to schedule and not a guaranteed win.

2) The SOS on average has been worse but the number of marquee opponents has continued to climb. It was an almost impossible task to fill out full schedules with only a few years notice but now that the WAC agreement is done and we have more time to be selective about who we play the SOS should follow. Up until recently our schedules have been feast or famine, the team is either brand name or near-guaranteed win. This leads to unsatisfying wins and mediocre records. Thankfully future schedules look to be improved and more balanced.

3) Our access to the NY6 is the same as it has always been. If we win out or end the season with one loss to the right team we will be in. This hasn't happened since 2001 so we might just have to agree to disagree on this point. I believe BYU would get selected under those conditions but I understand if others don't. Hopefully we have a special year soon and can find out one way or the other.

4) BYU's reputation has improved since going independent. I'm not sure how to quantify this but in my anecdotal experience in SEC/ACC country BYU is more on people's radar. The fact is that no one knows or cares who won the MWC or AAC. Unless you are playing in a major bowl game like UCF or Houston have then no one pays attention. BYU playing big regular season games against P5 opponents is more beneficial than racking up wins against the AAC.

5) BYU's long term success is still dependent upon winning football games and they haven't been successful enough at that recently, I think we can both agree there. But BYU needs to do it against a P5 type schedule to take the next step as a program. I'm not interested in returning to a lesser conference so we can try and hang a few more banners. BYU should challenge itself and grow. Independence offers more opportunities for that growth than G5.