Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’
At a public criticism, Big 12 Conference commissioner declared that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for recent remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
The Fighting Irish maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s chances to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this selection,” the athletic director said.
Miami ultimately earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two programs. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC ran a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.
An Egregious Reaction
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“I think his conduct has been out of line,” the commissioner commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.”
This public response is especially striking given Bevacqua’s special standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of football independent Notre Dame.
Past Context and Future Rumors
The commissioner also pointed out the assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a berth in its title game.
“His behavior has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious attacking Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's public reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move unlikely in the immediate future.
Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they are declining a bowl game after missing out this season.
