Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’

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

The Source of the Dispute

Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to pushing for the inclusion of the University of Miami.

“The ACC do great 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 process,” the athletic director said.

The Hurricanes eventually earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the direct matchup between the two programs. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media campaign over several weeks indicating its support for Miami.

A Strong Response

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

“I think his behavior has been unacceptable,” the commissioner said. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”

This public criticism is especially significant given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.

Past Context and Speculative Rumors

Yormark further pointed out the lifeline the ACC provided Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its title game.

“His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable attacking the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”

Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday appear to make such a move less likely in the near term.

Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have indicated they will decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this season.