Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a notable rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner declared that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for his criticisms targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this process,” Bevacqua remarked.
Miami ultimately earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the direct matchup between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks indicating its support for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been egregious,” Yormark commented. “He is completely 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 notable given Bevacqua’s special role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Future Rumors
The commissioner further highlighted the assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious criticizing Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's pointed comments on Tuesday appear to make such a scenario highly improbable in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have announced they plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
