Notre Dame’s athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, voiced strong criticism of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) following the College Football Playoff (CFP) selections. He feels that the ACC’s actions have “permanently damaged” the relationship with Notre Dame, particularly regarding how the conference prioritized Miami over the Fighting Irish.
In an interview, Bevacqua expressed disbelief over the ACC’s decision to highlight Miami’s achievements while sidelining Notre Dame. He noted, “We didn’t appreciate being singled out, especially by a conference that benefits from our partnership.” This criticism arises as the ACC shared a side-by-side comparison of the two teams, referencing Miami’s win over Notre Dame earlier in the season. While Miami finished with a 10-2 record, Notre Dame also ended with the same record but was ultimately not selected for the playoffs.
Despite the setback, Notre Dame’s football team had a strong finish, winning their last 10 games, all by comfortable margins. Bevacqua expressed feelings of confusion and frustration, highlighting how the ranking system misled the team into believing they were playoff contenders. He suggested that the inconsistent messaging during the selection process left the team feeling blindsided.
As a further illustration of the rivalry, Bevacqua mentioned the ACC Network’s repeated broadcasts of the Miami-Notre Dame game leading up to the championship weekend—even though Miami was not playing in the title game. This move raised eyebrows at Notre Dame and deepened suspicions about the conference’s loyalty.
In light of the current situation, an expert opinion from a sports analyst might emphasize how this incident reflects broader trends in college football. For instance, the growing competitiveness of programs like Miami, and the shifting dynamics in conference affiliations, could redefine future relationships among schools.
In the wake of these developments, Bevacqua hinted that Notre Dame might reassess its ties with the ACC, acknowledging that while nothing is truly “irreparable,” the relationship is certainly “strained.”
Ultimately, the college football landscape continues to evolve. With the increasing pressures of playoff selections and conference rivalries, teams must navigate not only their performance on the field but also the complex interplay of relationships off it.
For more information on college football dynamics, check out the latest insights from the NCAA here.
