Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a public statement, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for recent remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this selection,” Bevacqua said.
Miami ultimately earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the head-to-head contest between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media push over several weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been egregious,” the commissioner said. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The criticism is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s special standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Future Rumors
The commissioner also pointed out the support the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's public comments on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership highly improbable in the near term.
The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they will decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.
