Scenario:

In 1990, Texas Governor Bill Clements surprisingly decides to seek reelection despite being involved in SMU's pay-to-play scandal. He stunningly wins reelection over State Treasurer Ann Richards.

As the Southwest Conference breaks up, SMU finds itself with an ally in Austin.

Despite the Governor on their side, SMU's woes since the death penalty are too much to overcome in joining the Big 12, and SMU sees Baylor and Texas Tech join the Big 12 thanks to the influence of Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock (a graduate of both institutions) along with Texas and Texas A&M.

Nevertheless, Governor Clements is willing to expend considerable political capital to ensure his Ponies remain in a major conference. He twists the arm of the Cotton Bowl to ensure that the Southwest Conference retains the bowl in an annual game against the Big 12.

The remaining SWC schools: SMU, TCU, Houston, & Rice, must decide how to proceed in rebuilding the SWC as a power conference. Phone calls flood in from members of the WAC, the Big West, & the independent ranks (including schools committed to joining the new CUSA).

As the new SWC commissioner, make your recommendations for ensuring that the Southwest Conference retains its spot as a major conference in the Bowl Coalition and the successor being negotiated, the Bowl Alliance.