It's total progress for this program. Those teams have more speed, and are deeper than BYU, so it's growth. There are no conditions on enjoying wins, especially P5 wins.
Now - the next step is to begin getting back to beating almost all the teams BYU should beat. Don't lose to USU, NIU, Toledo (I know, I know - they're good) or UMASS - those things are all possible for this program.
Do this and I think you can honestly say the program is advancing and this whole independence thing is a livable thing for most people. Just not Jason Buck.