Oregon has the same number of wins you say, but they just lost twice to Utah. That's not better.

You mentioned Boise and SDSU as playing better, but then discount Utah wins against MWC teams later in their OOC.

Dominating the south is a big deal. ASU, CU, UCLA and USC all have more money, tradition and better recruiting destinations.

Schools like BOise and SDSU have huge advantages over the rest of the MWC. Like BYU did in the WAC.

It's one thing to beat teams inferior to you, it's another to pass them up and beat superior programs consistently.