Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a notable criticism, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for his remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
The Fighting Irish has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to undermine us in this selection,” Bevacqua remarked.
The Hurricanes eventually earned the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the head-to-head matchup between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media push over multiple weeks indicating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Later on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been egregious,” the commissioner said. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The pushback is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s prominent role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Rumors
Yormark further highlighted the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its championship game.
“It has been unacceptable,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious going after Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a move less likely in the near term.
The Irish, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they are declining a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.