Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a strong criticism, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for recent remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
Notre Dame maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we bring substantial 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 process,” the athletic director stated.
Miami ultimately received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the direct meeting between the two teams. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media effort over multiple weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been out of line,” the commissioner commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public criticism is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s unique position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner further remarked the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious going after the ACC commissioner, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's strong comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario unlikely in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have announced they plan to decline a bowl game after missing out this year.
