so now that USC/UCLA are gone, from that point is what is in the PACs hand. The same goes for the BIG XII. Sans Texas and Oklahoma that is what is in their hand. When comparing the two the Big XII has the stronger position to negotiate from.

Trying to negotiate from what if's as in if six of your teams come over to our side this is what things "Could" look like isn't negotiating from strength.

However if your position is marginally stronger a la Big XII, and the PAC remainders know that their two strongest properties would bolt to another conference not named the Big XII in a heartbeat it further weakens your position to convince existing Big XII members of which several are already jaded by how you treated them when they went looking for another home, you may as well fold your cards, because you don't have what you think you have.