Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a notable rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner declared that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for his criticisms concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
The Fighting Irish has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They 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 eventually secured the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the direct contest between the two schools. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media effort over several weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Later 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,” Yormark stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The pushback is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Rumors
Yormark further highlighted the lifeline the ACC gave Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a berth in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been egregious criticizing Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's public reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership unlikely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.