Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a strong rebuke, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for recent criticisms targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
Notre Dame has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s bid to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this procedure,” the athletic director remarked.
The Hurricanes ultimately secured the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the direct matchup between the two schools. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks showing its support for Miami.
A Strong Rebuke
Later on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his conduct has been unacceptable,” Yormark said. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The pushback is especially significant given Bevacqua’s prominent role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner further pointed out the support the ACC provided Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its championship game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been egregious going after the ACC commissioner, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario unlikely in the near term.
The Irish, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they plan to decline a bowl game after missing out this season.
