In a heated exchange, Brett Yormark, the athletic director of the Big 12, has taken a strong stance against Pete Bevacqua, the Notre Dame athletic director, over his recent criticisms of the College Football Playoff (CFP). Yormark's criticism comes in response to Bevacqua's public statements questioning the ACC's aggressive campaign against Notre Dame in the CFP conversation, which ultimately led to Miami's inclusion in the 12-team field. Yormark believes Bevacqua's behavior has been 'egregious' and that he has crossed a line by targeting the ACC and its commissioner, Jim Phillips.
The tension between the two athletic directors escalated after Selection Sunday, where the Big 12 only secured one team, Texas Tech Red Raiders, while BYU Cougars, which had strong support from Provo, UT, missed out. Yormark expressed disappointment but also acknowledged the CFP committee's decisions, understanding the selection process. Despite his personal feelings, he praised the committee's overall performance, emphasizing the importance of progress over perfection.
Bevacqua, in his own defense, has questioned the ACC's motivation in going after Notre Dame, stating that it was not about the universities or Miami but rather a social media campaign against Notre Dame's football program. He also revealed that he had received communication from SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, discussing the CFP format. The lack of direct communication between Yormark and Bevacqua adds to the tension, leaving the situation with an air of mystery and further fueling the debate.
