Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Comments 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 “totally out of bounds” for recent criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Dispute
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we offer tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this procedure,” the athletic director stated.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head contest between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media push over multiple weeks demonstrating its support for Miami.
A Strong Reaction
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The response is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Moves
The commissioner further highlighted the support the ACC offered Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable going after Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's strong comments on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership unlikely in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have stated they are declining a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this season.