Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a strong statement, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Dispute
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s chances to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this selection,” Bevacqua remarked.
Miami ultimately received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head matchup between the two teams. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC ran a coordinated social media push over several weeks showing its support for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The response is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Speculative Moves
Yormark further pointed out the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's strong reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move unlikely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have stated they will decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.
