Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a notable rebuke, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for his comments about 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 other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial 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 selection,” the athletic director said.
The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the head-to-head contest between the two schools. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC conducted a targeted social media push over multiple weeks showing its support for Miami.
A Strong Reaction
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 actions has been egregious,” 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.”
This public pushback is especially notable given Bevacqua’s prominent standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Context and Speculative Moves
The commissioner also remarked the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been egregious attacking Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's pointed comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario less likely in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they will decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.
