Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a public rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent comments targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
The Fighting Irish maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s bid to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this process,” Bevacqua said.
Miami eventually earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media campaign over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been out of line,” the commissioner commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public pushback is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s unique role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing 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 full ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious criticizing the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's strong comments on Tuesday appear to make such a scenario highly improbable in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
