Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a notable rebuke, Big 12 chief declared that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for his comments targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Dispute
Notre Dame maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this procedure,” Bevacqua said.
The Hurricanes ultimately earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the direct contest between the two programs. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media campaign over several weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his actions has been out of line,” Yormark commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The response is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s special standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Future Rumors
Yormark further pointed out the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been egregious attacking Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a move unlikely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they will decline a bowl game after missing out this season.
