Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a strong criticism, Big 12 chief asserted that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for his criticisms targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
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 harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we offer tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this selection,” Bevacqua said.
The Hurricanes ultimately secured the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two teams. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC ran a targeted social media effort over several weeks indicating its support for Miami.
A Strong Reaction
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been egregious,” the commissioner stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public pushback is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Future Rumors
The commissioner further remarked the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious going after Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's strong reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a scenario highly improbable in the immediate future.
The Irish, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this year.