Big 12 Chief Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a public rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner stated that Notre Dame athletic director, 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 participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this selection,” Bevacqua said.
The Hurricanes ultimately secured the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head matchup between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks demonstrating its support for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been out of line,” the commissioner commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The pushback is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Speculative Moves
Yormark also pointed out the support the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable going after the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership less likely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have stated they plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.