Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a strong statement, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for his remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
The Fighting Irish has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this process,” Bevacqua stated.
Miami eventually received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the direct contest between the two teams. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC ran a coordinated social media campaign over several weeks showing its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Subsequently 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 stated. “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 criticism is especially striking given Bevacqua’s special position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner also pointed out the support the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership highly improbable in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.
