Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a strong rebuke, Big 12 chief asserted that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
The Fighting Irish maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we offer significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to undermine us in this procedure,” the athletic director stated.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head meeting between the two schools. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media effort over several weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been egregious,” Yormark stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The response is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s unique position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Moves
The commissioner also remarked the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's public comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario unlikely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have indicated they plan to decline a bowl game after missing out this season.
