Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a strong rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner declared that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s bid to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this selection,” the athletic director stated.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the direct contest between the two teams. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media push over several weeks demonstrating its support for Miami.
A Strong Reaction
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been unacceptable,” Yormark commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public criticism is especially striking given Bevacqua’s unique role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Future Rumors
Yormark further remarked the support the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been egregious attacking Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's public comments on Tuesday seem to make such a move less likely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they are declining a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.
