Big 12 Conference Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
During a strong criticism, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent criticisms concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
The Fighting Irish maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do great things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this procedure,” the athletic director stated.
The Hurricanes eventually earned the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the direct meeting between the two schools. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC ran a targeted social media push over multiple weeks indicating its support for Miami.
A Strong Response
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his actions has been out of line,” the commissioner stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public criticism is especially significant given Bevacqua’s special role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Future Moves
Yormark further remarked the assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after the ACC commissioner, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move highly improbable in the immediate future.
The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they will decline a bowl game after missing out this year.
