Big 12 Chief Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a notable criticism, Big 12 chief asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent criticisms targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Dispute
The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we bring substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this procedure,” the athletic director said.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the head-to-head contest between the two schools. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media push over multiple weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Later on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his behavior has been egregious,” the commissioner stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The response is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Future Moves
The commissioner also pointed out the support the ACC gave Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious attacking the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move highly improbable in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have indicated they are declining a postseason invitation after missing out this year.
