Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a notable rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner declared that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
Notre Dame has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s bid to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They does great things for Notre Dame, but we offer 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 stated.
Miami eventually earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two schools. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC ran a targeted social media effort over several weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been unacceptable,” the commissioner stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The pushback is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Rumors
Yormark also remarked the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a berth in its championship game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable going after Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's public reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move less likely in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they plan to decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.
