Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a notable statement, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s bid to enter the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They do 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 damage us in this procedure,” the athletic director remarked.
Miami eventually received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the direct matchup between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC conducted a targeted social media push over multiple weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been unacceptable,” Yormark said. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public response is especially striking given Bevacqua’s special standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Speculative Rumors
Yormark also remarked the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's public comments on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership highly improbable in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they plan to decline a bowl game after missing out this season.
