Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a public rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner declared that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent criticisms concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
The Fighting Irish maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They do great 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 damage us in this procedure,” the athletic director remarked.
The Hurricanes ultimately secured the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head contest between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC conducted a targeted social media effort over multiple weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his behavior has been out of line,” the commissioner said. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public response is especially notable given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Moves
The commissioner further highlighted the support the ACC provided Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a berth in its championship game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's strong reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move highly improbable in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
