Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a notable statement, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for recent comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC harmed 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 wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this procedure,” the athletic director remarked.
Miami ultimately received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head matchup between the two teams. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his behavior has been egregious,” Yormark commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The response is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s unique position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Speculative Rumors
Yormark also remarked the support the ACC gave Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious going after Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership highly improbable in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they are declining a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
