Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a public criticism, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for recent criticisms concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we provide 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 procedure,” the athletic director remarked.
The Hurricanes eventually received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the direct contest between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC ran a coordinated social media effort over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his actions has been egregious,” Yormark stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public response is especially striking given Bevacqua’s special role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Speculative Moves
Yormark further pointed out the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable going after the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's strong reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move highly improbable in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they will decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
