Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’

At a strong criticism, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public comments about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

The Source of the Controversy

Notre Dame maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the inclusion of the University of Miami.

“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer tremendous football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this procedure,” Bevacqua stated.

Miami eventually received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the head-to-head contest between the two schools. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC conducted a targeted social media push over multiple weeks showing its support for Miami.

An Egregious Rebuke

Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.

“My opinion is that his actions has been out of line,” Yormark said. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”

This public criticism is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.

Historical Support and Speculative Rumors

Yormark also highlighted the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a berth in its championship game.

“It has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been egregious attacking the ACC commissioner, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”

Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario less likely in the near term.

Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after missing out this season.