Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a notable criticism, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for recent remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this procedure,” Bevacqua said.
Miami ultimately received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the head-to-head matchup between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC conducted a targeted social media push over multiple weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been unacceptable,” Yormark stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public pushback is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s unique role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Future Moves
Yormark further highlighted the assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's public comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario unlikely in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they are declining a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this year.
