TCU, Utah, BYU, and Arkansas to the Big 12?

How do you screw up the Big 12? I mean that has to take talent. I understand that I am a casual observer and that I do not know everything that goes on behind closer doors but come one now. The Big 12 was a powerhouse in the football, basketball, and baseball. Their teams were always on or near the top. Their schools were second to none. How did this happen? That I don't know. Let me tell you a few things I would have tried or would currently be trying in this position.

Obviously, if the Texas schools and Oklahoma stay the Big 12 should be okay because most other schools not named Colorado and Nebraska will probably follow suit and the Big 12 will pick up 2 or 3 schools to replace the ones who left. The Big 12 should have a contingency plan in this place and here it is.

The Big 12 should have invited TCU, Utah, BYU, and Boise State once they had any hint whatsoever that the Pac 10 and Big 10 was going to come after their schools. If the Texas and Oklahoma exodus occurs it would leave them with having to replace somewhere around 8-10 schools in my opinion. I think Baylor, Iowa State, and Kansas State (possibly Ok. St. and Kansas) would stay put if the Big 12 could have added at least 2 or 3 of the 4 schools listed in my first sentence. I think the Big 12 could have then added Memphis and Houston from Conference USA. Maybe they could have talked Arkansas into joining or possibly a school like the Air Force (it never hurts to have a service academy). Here is what the new Big 12 could have possibly looked like.

Big 12 North Big 12 South

Boise State TCU
Utah BYU
Baylor Kansas
Air Force Arkansas
Kansas State Houston
Oklahoma State Memphis

(Note: I left Iowa State out to keep things equal. I think the Sun Belt could be possible suitors for them. Okay, that was a low blow.)

Obviously, this is a far cry from the old Big 12 but at least the Big 12 would still be around and this would still be a pretty strong league. I think the BCS would have continued to grant this league an automatic invitation. I think Arkansas would have been intrigued about joining a league where they would finally have a really good shot at being top dog during the good years. You have Kansas, Kansas State, and Memphis for basketball with decent BYU and Air Force squads. During the first few years of the conference set the conference schedule up in a way where Boise, Utah, or TCU could go undefeated assuming a below average non-conference schedule.