that would be just as effective as big 10.

The name itself is not as important as you are making it out to be.

Once they are one of the two super conferences, why cling to this historical, currently-inaccurate, tribute to the past that goes back to only 1987?

If the Big 12 survives to be one of the top 3 or 4 conferences, it certainly won't be on the basis of their conference name. If the Big 12 somehow is cut down in the game of musical chairs, it certainly wouldn't be because they changed their name.

I think Big 12 is a great name if the conference has 12 full members. If the conference doesn't have 12 full members, then the history and brand are not compelling enough to keep.