Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a public rebuke, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Dispute
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we offer tremendous football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this process,” Bevacqua remarked.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the head-to-head contest between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media push over several weeks showing its preference for Miami.
A Strong Response
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his conduct has been egregious,” the commissioner commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The response is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s special role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Moves
The commissioner further pointed out the assistance the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been egregious attacking Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's public reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership highly improbable in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they are declining a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this year.
