Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a strong criticism, Big 12 Conference commissioner stated that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for his criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial 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 process,” the athletic director remarked.
Miami eventually secured the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the direct contest between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media effort over multiple weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been unacceptable,” Yormark said. “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.”
This public criticism is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s special standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Moves
The commissioner further pointed out the assistance the ACC offered Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a berth in its championship game.
“It has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's pointed comments on Tuesday seem to make such a move highly improbable in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have stated they are declining a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this year.
