Big 12 Conference Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a public rebuke, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s bid to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They do great things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this selection,” Bevacqua stated.
The Hurricanes eventually received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the head-to-head contest between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media effort over several weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his actions has been egregious,” the commissioner commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
This public response is especially significant 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.
Past Context and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner further remarked the assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been egregious going after the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, Yormark's strong reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario unlikely in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have announced they are declining a bowl game after missing out this year.
