Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a notable criticism, Big 12 chief declared that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for recent remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Dispute
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 hurt Notre Dame’s chances to enter the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this procedure,” Bevacqua stated.
Miami eventually secured the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head contest between the two teams. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC ran a targeted social media push over several weeks indicating its support for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his behavior has been out of line,” the commissioner said. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The criticism is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s special standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Speculative Moves
The commissioner also highlighted the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a full ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's public comments on Tuesday appear to make such a move highly improbable in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.
