Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a public statement, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for his criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They does great things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this process,” Bevacqua stated.
Miami eventually secured the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the head-to-head contest between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC ran a targeted social media effort over several weeks indicating its support for Miami.
A Strong Reaction
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been unacceptable,” the commissioner said. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public pushback is especially significant given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Moves
Yormark further remarked the assistance the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a move unlikely in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they are declining a postseason invitation after missing out this season.