including scheduling, media coverage, and revenue.

But the Big 12 is even better.

From a macro viewpoint, BYU football has been improving it's situation for many years to earn what they have. Their have been bumps along the way, but what Lavell built continues to come to fruition with a sometimes meteoric but generally consistent rise when the long view is considered. BYU was just coming into it's own (3 WAC co or solo championships from 1974-1977) when Arizona and Arizona State left BYU as the flag bearer in the old WAC at the conclusion of the 1977 football season. Rather than folding, Lavell and company lead the program to its highest highs despite the attrition. Since then, consider the changes in conference affiliation:

1978-1998 WAC. Some good competition at times at the top, but filled with struggling programs at the bottom and middle.
1999-2010 Mountain West. Stronger at the top and stronger in the middle.
2011-2022 Independent. Better scheduling, media, and revenue than any other point in program history.
2023. The Big 12. Others with less stature, brand, and history got their ticket punched sooner. But BYU got there, and it's glorious.