It is a public school and would not have taken that risk.  MWC members are also all public schools and all but Air Force would not see that as an option.  BYU doesn't have to answer to any politicians and perceives itself as having a more national fanbase.  It was the only school in the MWC to that could go Independent.  Whether it was worth it is another story, but BYU has continued to be financially stable if not more profitable and is in a better place from that perspective.  From a performance perspective it is all based on interpretation.  I am not a fan, but if I were, I would change my behavior towards the football team.  I would cancel my season tickets and spend my money going to a couple big-time road game and pick up a good home game here and there.  Not sure which one would be better, it is just a different experience.