Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
At a public rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner declared that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for his remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Root of the Controversy
The Fighting Irish maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They does great 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 process,” the athletic director stated.
Miami ultimately received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the direct contest between the two schools. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC ran a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami.
A Strong Response
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his actions has been egregious,” the commissioner said. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
The criticism is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s special role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner further highlighted the support the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a berth in its title game.
“It has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious going after the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Rumors had spread about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario less likely in the near term.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have stated they will decline a bowl game after missing out this year.
