Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a notable rebuke, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for his comments targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s chances to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They does great things for Notre Dame, but we bring significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this procedure,” the athletic director said.
Miami eventually secured the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the direct matchup between the two teams. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC ran a coordinated social media push over multiple weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
A Strong Reaction
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his conduct has been egregious,” Yormark commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The response is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s prominent role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Future Rumors
The commissioner also highlighted the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been egregious criticizing Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a move less likely in the immediate future.
The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have stated they are declining a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this year.
