Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a public rebuke, Big 12 chief asserted that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s bid to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this selection,” the athletic director stated.
The Hurricanes eventually received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the head-to-head matchup between the two schools. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC ran a targeted social media push over several weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been unacceptable,” Yormark stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public criticism is especially striking given Bevacqua’s unique role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner also remarked the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been egregious criticizing the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move unlikely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have stated they are declining a postseason invitation after missing out this year.
