Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’

At a notable criticism, Big 12 chief asserted that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for public remarks concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

The Source of the Tension

Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to qualify for 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 substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this procedure,” Bevacqua said.

The Hurricanes eventually secured the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the direct meeting between the two teams. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC ran a targeted social media push over several weeks showing its support for Miami.

An Egregious Response

Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to 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 say to him the same thing.”

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

Historical Support and Future Rumors

Yormark further pointed out the assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its title game.

“It has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been egregious going after Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”

Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's public comments on Tuesday appear to make such a move less likely in the near term.

The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they are declining a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.