This article provides just a couple examples of BYU having an opportunity to Join the Big 12. What ended up happening is anybody’s guess but to say it was entirely out of BYU’s hands is counter to reports from media on Oct 11th and counter to the quote from Bronco down below.

“Earlier today, Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com, a website devoted mostly to coverage of University of Texas football, posted the following on his Twitter account: "Sources tell Orangebloods.com BYU is no longer a candidate to join the Big 12 because BYU wants to be independent." Several others have posted similar statements the past five days or so quoting anonymous sources, as Brown did — since TCU got the Big 12 invite last Thursday — but Brown has shown before that he is indeed privy to some of the inner workings of the conference realignment process. After all, he's the first reporter that I'm aware of to suggest that TCU had replaced the Cougars as the league's primary target to replace Texas A&M. He was right. “

*** Bronco’s quote

“Here are the ones that pertain to independence and the Big 12: On whether he's offered any recommendations to BYU administrators about independence vs. joining a conference: "The only thing that I have recommended is access to the top-tier bowl games. And that's the BCS system. If joining a conference would allow us that, then I would prefer that over independence. If we could have independence and that [BCS access], I would prefer that. But we got to get access." So what if you got independence, but not good enough access: "Then, if we had a conference invitation, my recommendation would be to take it." On whether he would be frustrated if BYU administration turned down an opportunity to go to a BCS conference: "I would be supportive of whatever they chose. Because like many people that come into my office, they come in with an agenda with one perspective that doesn't account for a lot of other things. And I am sure from my view as a football coach, I don't see everything that an athletic director or president sees as well. I trust them, and I think they would make a wise decision. But I would give that input." On whether he's comfortable not having a significant say: "Oh, I think I have a significant say, and I don't think it would ever get to a point where I didn't."