Big 12 Chief Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
During a notable statement, Big 12 Conference commissioner declared that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for his criticisms targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
The Fighting Irish has 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 bid to make the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do great things for Notre Dame, but we offer significant 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 selection,” Bevacqua remarked.
Miami eventually secured the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head meeting between the two schools. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC conducted a targeted social media effort over several weeks showing its support for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Subsequently 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,” the commissioner said. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The pushback is especially significant 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.
Past Support and Future Rumors
The commissioner also highlighted the assistance the ACC provided Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable going after Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership unlikely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they will decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
