Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
During a strong statement, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent criticisms concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to undermine us in this process,” Bevacqua stated.
The Hurricanes ultimately earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head contest between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media effort over multiple weeks showing its support for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Later on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been unacceptable,” the commissioner stated. “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.”
This public pushback is especially notable given Bevacqua’s unique position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Moves
Yormark also pointed out the support the ACC provided Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership highly improbable in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they are declining a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
