Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a strong rebuke, Big 12 chief declared that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
Notre Dame has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They does great things for Notre Dame, but we offer substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this process,” the athletic director said.
The Hurricanes ultimately earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the direct contest between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC ran a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks showing its support for Miami.
A Strong Response
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his behavior has been egregious,” the commissioner commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public pushback is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s special position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Rumors
Yormark also highlighted the assistance the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a berth in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious criticizing the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's strong reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move highly improbable in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they are declining a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this season.
