Big 12 Chief Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a strong statement, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this procedure,” Bevacqua remarked.
The Hurricanes eventually secured the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the head-to-head matchup between the two teams. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC conducted a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been egregious,” Yormark stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The pushback is especially significant given Bevacqua’s unique role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Moves
The commissioner further highlighted the lifeline the ACC gave Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's strong reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership unlikely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have announced they are declining a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.
