Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a public statement, Big 12 chief asserted that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
The Fighting Irish maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s chances to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this process,” Bevacqua stated.
Miami eventually received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head contest between the two programs. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC conducted a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks demonstrating its support for Miami.
A Strong Response
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been unacceptable,” Yormark commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The response is particularly notable 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.
Historical Support and Future Rumors
The commissioner further pointed out the support the ACC provided Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious criticizing Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's strong comments on Tuesday appear to make such a scenario highly improbable in the immediate future.
The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have announced they plan to decline a bowl game after missing out this year.
