But sometimes you put up with the bylaws, stupid conference dictatorship, and greedy Larry Scott; because the money, strength of schedule year in and year out, and the academic prestige of being associated with Stanford/USC/UC schools/Washington is still a massive upgrade compared to the MWC days.

Just like BYU, Utah is better in the Pac-12 than outside of it. But that does not mean the conference big wigs don't suck!