Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a notable criticism, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for his remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we bring significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this procedure,” Bevacqua said.
Miami eventually earned the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the direct meeting between the two teams. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC ran a targeted social media effort over several 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.
“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 same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public criticism is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s unique role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Moves
The commissioner also pointed out the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious criticizing Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's strong reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move less likely in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they plan to decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.
