Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a public criticism, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent criticisms targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
The Fighting Irish maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC 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 procedure,” Bevacqua stated.
The Hurricanes ultimately earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the direct matchup between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media effort over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
A Strong Response
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his behavior has been egregious,” the commissioner commented. “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 pushback is especially notable given Bevacqua’s prominent role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Moves
Yormark further remarked the support the ACC gave Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious attacking the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's public reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move less likely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have announced they plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.
