Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a notable rebuke, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
Notre Dame maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to undermine us in this procedure,” the athletic director remarked.
Miami eventually secured the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the direct meeting between the two programs. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media effort over multiple weeks showing its support for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Later on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his actions has been out of line,” Yormark said. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The pushback is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s special role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Speculative Rumors
Yormark further pointed out the assistance the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been egregious going after Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership unlikely in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have announced they are declining a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
