My impression from what I've heard, and this could be totally wrong, is that BYU's admin team probably had some conversations on the phone that included their attorneys, an in-person PowerPoint to conference officials, and a wait and see approach. I've always been impressed with TCU's approach, their AD met the Texas university official at a restaurant/bar, left his documentation and PowerPoint in his car and didn't even use it, had a long conversation over drinks and by the end of the evening the Texas official had committed to helping them get in. And they did.

WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE.
If I were Tom Holmoe, I would have proactively reached out and visited every Big12 AD and University president and met with them in-person. I would have enlisted Steve Young and Ty Detmer (don't laugh) to go along as a social buffer. Steve and Ty are well known, well respected, and well spoken. Steve's a huge sports legend, Ty is incredibly well regarded in the south (especially Texas), and everyone likes them. They're great ambassadors for BYU and very relaxed. Those conversations I think would have had an impact and help us make a better impression.