I don't think newsrelease numbers are a great way to take the contract. I've seen much higher estimates. In any event, we shouldn't place much confidence in any of them. I think you lean too heavily on the small data you have.
And I do believe Texas, Wisconsin, and Tennessee, and USC's fanbases have lasting impressions of BYU. I think you're committing a base rate fallacy, here. Just because AAC teams would care more about BYU's season doesn't do much for the overall exposure. Even if we are their opponent once every decade, they remember, and it spreads out pretty wide. I think it affects the national brand much more than being an AAC member.