Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a notable criticism, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for his comments targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
Notre Dame has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we bring tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this procedure,” the athletic director stated.
Miami ultimately secured the CFP spot over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head matchup between the two programs. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC ran a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Response
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been egregious,” Yormark said. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The pushback is especially notable given Bevacqua’s special position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner further highlighted the assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership unlikely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they plan to decline a postseason invitation after missing out this season.
