Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a notable rebuke, Big 12 chief declared that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for his remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s chances to enter the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this procedure,” the athletic director said.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two teams. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media effort over several weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been out of line,” the commissioner said. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The pushback is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s special role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Speculative Moves
The commissioner further pointed out the support the ACC provided Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious going after Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's public comments on Tuesday seem to make such a move unlikely in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
