Big 12 Conference Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a notable rebuke, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
Notre Dame has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we offer tremendous football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this selection,” Bevacqua stated.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the head-to-head contest between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC ran a coordinated social media effort over multiple weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been egregious,” Yormark commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The response is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s special standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Rumors
Yormark further pointed out the assistance the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a full conference schedule and a berth in its title game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership less likely in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have indicated they plan to decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this year.
