Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a public statement, Brett Yormark declared that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we offer tremendous football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to undermine us in this selection,” the athletic director stated.
Miami ultimately received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media campaign over several weeks showing its support for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his behavior has been egregious,” the commissioner stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The pushback is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s special standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Future Rumors
Yormark also highlighted the lifeline the ACC gave Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable attacking Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's public comments on Tuesday appear to make such a move less likely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have stated they are declining a bowl game after missing out this season.
