Filed under: Baylor, Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas, Texas Tech, BCS, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 10

DALLAS — With his league all but crumbling around him, Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe managed last month what could become the greatest save in college sports.

Colorado and Nebraska had already broken away from the 14-year-old power conference and now the nucleus was next as Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Texas Tech all weighed options from the Pac-10. The formation of four 16-team super-conferences seemed inevitable with the anticipated move.

But Beebe came through with the ultimate Hail Mary catch that included increased television revenue and more for the major league players despite two fewer teams and the almost certain loss of the Big 12 Football Championship Game.

Beebe, himself, described the scenario as being down 21 points in the fourth quarter with four minutes remaining.

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