Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a public criticism, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for his remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Dispute
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They does great things for Notre Dame, but we bring substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this process,” Bevacqua remarked.
The Hurricanes eventually earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the head-to-head matchup between the two teams. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC ran a coordinated social media push over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
A Strong Response
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his conduct has been out of line,” the commissioner commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public criticism is especially significant given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Future Rumors
The commissioner also remarked the assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its championship game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership unlikely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they will decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
