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

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

Root of the Tension

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

“The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we bring substantial 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,” the athletic director stated.

Miami ultimately earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the head-to-head matchup between the two teams. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC ran a targeted social media push over multiple weeks indicating its support for Miami.

A Strong Reaction

Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.

“In my view his actions has been egregious,” the commissioner 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 criticism is especially striking given Bevacqua’s unique standing. 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 Speculative Rumors

Yormark further remarked the support the ACC provided Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a berth in its championship game.

“It has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious going after the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”

Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's strong comments on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership unlikely in the immediate future.

Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this year.