What's interesting about the OP is that we had most of these things before winning the game - but the game made it dramatic.
But that's what we are talking about here - theatrics, stories, narratives. All the positive signs (that many on this board ignored or took for granted), the timing of Big12 Invite and beating Utah, all makes for a magical moment and POSSIBLY a sign of things to come. Actually, I think it's definitely a sign of things to come.
But we can't act like it's already happened, or that our opponents should believe in our story before it unfolds. It's going to take time - let's see how long it takes. Signs are very good, no doubt.