Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a public rebuke, Big 12 chief asserted that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for public comments about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Dispute
Notre Dame maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s bid to enter the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous 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 selection,” the athletic director stated.
The Hurricanes eventually received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head matchup between the two teams. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC ran a coordinated social media push over several weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his behavior has been egregious,” Yormark said. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public pushback is especially striking given Bevacqua’s prominent standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Speculative Moves
Yormark further remarked the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious attacking the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's strong comments on Tuesday appear to make such a move unlikely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.
