I think the opponents are tougher, but Toledo and USF are patsies this year. Losing to them is evidence that BYU has gotten worse while also playing a stiffer schedule.
That said - beating USC, Tennessee, and BSU make it a pretty good/memorable year as well. Hopefully they close it out with some more wins, including a bowl.
I still think that the premise that BSU has been better than BYU is true. The head to head record is all the evidence you need of that. However - I would say the gap isn't insurmountable. The games have been close, for sure. All it would take is a good couple of years - and some consistency - for BYU to close the distance and be equal.