Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a notable rebuke, Brett Yormark declared that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for recent criticisms concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
The Fighting Irish maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement 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 choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They does great things for Notre Dame, but we bring significant 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.
The Hurricanes eventually received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the direct contest between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC ran a coordinated social media effort over multiple weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his actions has been unacceptable,” the commissioner commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public response is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s special position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Moves
The commissioner further pointed out the lifeline the ACC gave 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 reiterated. “It’s been egregious going after Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, Yormark's public comments on Tuesday appear to make such a move unlikely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have stated they are declining a bowl game after missing out this season.
