Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a strong statement, Big 12 chief declared that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for his comments about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s chances to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They does wonderful 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 procedure,” Bevacqua stated.
Miami ultimately earned 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 ran a targeted social media push over several weeks showing its support for Miami.
A Strong Response
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been egregious,” Yormark commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The pushback is especially notable given Bevacqua’s special standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Rumors
Yormark also pointed out the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been unacceptable,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, 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 pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario highly improbable in the near term.
The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.
