Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
During a strong statement, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for his comments about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this procedure,” the athletic director remarked.
Miami ultimately earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC conducted a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks showing its support for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been egregious,” the commissioner 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 criticism is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s special role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Speculative Moves
The commissioner further pointed out the support 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 going after the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's public comments on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership unlikely in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they are declining a postseason invitation after missing out this season.
