Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a strong criticism, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public comments about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this process,” the athletic director stated.
The Hurricanes eventually secured the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the direct contest between the two schools. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media effort over several weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been egregious,” Yormark said. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public response is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s special role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner further highlighted the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's strong comments on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership highly improbable in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have stated they are declining a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this year.
