Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a notable criticism, Brett Yormark declared that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent comments targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Tension
The Fighting Irish maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the inclusion of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer substantial 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.
The Hurricanes eventually earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the direct matchup between the two schools. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC ran a targeted social media effort over several weeks showing its preference for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been egregious,” the commissioner stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public response is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s special position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Moves
The commissioner also remarked the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been egregious going after the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, Yormark's public reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move less likely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have stated they will decline a bowl game after missing out this season.
