It has the look of a Conference USA. (the original version) Ariz State is a program with a lot of value. HUGE enrollment and big stadium that they mostly fill up. Pretty good media market.
If the Big 12 had poached Arizona and Arizona State in 2011 to stay at 12 teams, there's a good chance we wouldn't be leaving the conference. Bringing in Cincinnati and Louisville might've worked too. Would fill in the space between ISU and WVU, at least.
Not sure about Utah. I think they'd rather be lumped in with Oregon and Washington. Colorado will never come crawling back. I can see them going Independent with Coach Prime before rejoining the XII.
Colorado is a broke school and has been for 20-30 years. It is located in a broke state. They will side and join whomever has a check that will clear the bank regardless of size. A school that can't raise $300,000 for a practice bubble will never be able to be an independent unless they want to try 10 road games a year.