Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
During a public rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner stated that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for his comments targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Dispute
Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s bid to make the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.
“They does great things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this procedure,” the athletic director said.
Miami ultimately secured the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the direct matchup between the two schools. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media push over several weeks demonstrating its support for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“In my view his actions has been egregious,” the commissioner stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The response is especially striking given Bevacqua’s prominent role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Speculative Rumors
The commissioner further highlighted the assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its title game.
“His behavior has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been egregious attacking Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's strong reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership unlikely in the near term.
The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have indicated they plan to decline a postseason invitation after missing out this season.
