I don't think it's either.
Opposing players aren't going to give our guys the same respect that OU or UT gets, because that has to be earned. However, opposing coaches know they can't just show up and beat us any more.
I consider being "there" as consistently finishing in the top half of the conference and competing for bowl games regularly. I don't think we are "almost there" yet.
One thing I like is that, outside of the Iowa game, our effort has been solid despite not having the talent depth to play a complete game. We're like a boxer that can hold his own for five or six rounds, deliver a haymaker or two and finish the fight, but lose to a unanimous decision. What's important is that we are starting to avoid the knockouts.
I think over the next two years, we will finish off one or two more of these closer games, show up better in the non-con, and squeak out a bowl. Hopefully I'm being pessimistic in my thought process, but, if the improvements continue, I could see us approaching "there" in three years.