Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a notable statement, Big 12 Conference commissioner declared that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent criticisms concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
Notre Dame maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to undermine us in this process,” Bevacqua remarked.
The Hurricanes eventually received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the direct meeting between the two schools. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks demonstrating its support for Miami.
A Strong Reaction
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his behavior has been egregious,” the commissioner said. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The criticism is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Rumors
Yormark also remarked the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable going after the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's strong reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move highly improbable in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have announced they plan to decline a bowl game after missing out this season.
