Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a public rebuke, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public criticisms targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
The Fighting Irish maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this selection,” the athletic director stated.
Miami ultimately earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the direct contest between the two schools. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Response
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The pushback is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s special standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Support and Speculative Rumors
Yormark further remarked the assistance the ACC provided Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a full conference schedule and a berth in its championship game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been egregious going after Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”
Talk had circulated about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, Yormark's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership highly improbable in the near term.
Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have stated they are declining a bowl game after missing out this season.
