Big 12 Chief Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a strong rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
The Fighting Irish maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s chances to enter the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this process,” Bevacqua remarked.
Miami eventually earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head matchup between the two schools. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media effort over multiple weeks showing its support for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his conduct has been unacceptable,” the commissioner stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public pushback is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Future Rumors
The commissioner also highlighted the support the ACC gave Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious criticizing the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership highly improbable in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they will decline a bowl game after missing out this year.
