Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a notable rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for his criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Tension
The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning 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 didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this process,” Bevacqua said.
Miami eventually secured the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the head-to-head contest between the two teams. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media campaign over several weeks showing its support for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his behavior has been out of line,” Yormark said. “He is totally 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 striking given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Future Moves
Yormark further remarked the assistance the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a berth in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been egregious criticizing Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's public 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 will decline a postseason invitation after missing out this season.
