THE BIG 12. Three weeks ago, the conference was on life support, bracing itself for the tremor that would send its various parts scattering in at least three different directions. Since, the conference has staved off extinction, fired its lightning rod of a commissioner, agreed to share television revenue equally, convinced the Longhorn Network to stay out of high school sports altogether, and filled Texas A&M's place at the table with a very thrilled TCU.