Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark expressed strong disapproval regarding the comments made by Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). After Notre Dame was excluded from the College Football Playoff in favor of the Miami Hurricanes, who had previously defeated them head-to-head, Bevacqua took to social media to accuse the ACC of favoritism.
Speaking at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum, Yormark did not hold back. He labeled Bevacqua’s approach as “totally out of bounds,” stating he would deliver the same message directly to him if given the chance. This public spat highlights the tensions between Notre Dame and the ACC, particularly as all of Notre Dame’s other varsity sports, aside from football and men’s hockey, are members of the conference. Since 2014, Notre Dame football has engaged in a scheduling partnership with the ACC, committing to play a minimum of five conference opponents each season.
In his criticisms, Bevacqua accused the ACC of orchestrating a targeted social media campaign against Notre Dame, further intensifying his grievances in multiple media appearances. Conversely, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips defended the conference, affirming its commitment to support all 17 football-playing member institutions.
Yormark also recalled the crucial role the ACC played in 2020 when Notre Dame faced a unique challenge due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Irish participated in a 10-game ACC schedule that year, winning all nine of their conference games but ultimately losing to Clemson in the championship match. Despite this loss, Notre Dame secured a playoff spot as the No. 4 seed, although they were eliminated by Alabama in the semifinals.
Emphasizing the CFP selection committee’s transparency, Yormark criticized Bevacqua’s actions, stating, “I think Pete’s behavior has been egregious… they saved Notre Dame during COVID.” He also pointed out that the committee’s logic involved comparing teams’ previous matchups, further explaining that head-to-head results were pivotal in the decision-making process.
Additionally, Yormark highlighted the case of BYU, another program that was excluded from the College Football Playoff despite a strong 11-2 record. He noted that BYU’s close losses, including two against Texas Tech, contributed to the committee’s decision-making criteria, reinforcing the notion that head-to-head performance plays a significant role in playoff selections.
This ongoing dispute between Notre Dame and the ACC raises questions about how conference alliances and past performances influence current postseason opportunities. As the landscape of college football continues to evolve, the implications of these conflicts may significantly affect future discussions concerning playoff eligibility and conference relations.
