Step 1: Pac-12 ousts Larry Scott
Step 2: Big 12 and Pac-12 form a long term, working partnership. Now you've got a footprint that spans the two most populous states in the nation.
Step 3: Wait for ACC to disintegrate over the failed promises of their GOR. Maybe the Big 12 can add a Florida school, and then the footprint can encompass the three most populous states in the nation.
Step 4: PROFIT! (since that is what this is all about)
I've been saying this since the Big Ten and SEC both made it clear they wanted to move past 12 teams.