Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
In a notable rebuke, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for public remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s chances to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring significant 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 process,” Bevacqua said.
The Hurricanes eventually secured the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the head-to-head meeting between the two programs. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media effort over several weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been out of line,” the commissioner commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The criticism is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s unique role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner further pointed out the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious going after the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, Yormark's pointed comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario unlikely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have indicated they are declining a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.