Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a public rebuke, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
Notre Dame has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s bid to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do great things for Notre Dame, but we bring tremendous 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,” Bevacqua stated.
The Hurricanes eventually received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the head-to-head contest between the two schools. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC ran a coordinated social media effort over several weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his behavior has been egregious,” the commissioner stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The criticism is especially significant given Bevacqua’s prominent standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Speculative Moves
Yormark also remarked the lifeline the ACC gave Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been egregious criticizing the ACC commissioner, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's strong comments on Tuesday appear to make such a scenario less likely in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have stated they plan to decline a bowl game after missing out this season.
