Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua delivered a blistering response Tuesday following the College Football Playoff controversy that saw the Fighting Irish excluded from the 12–team CFP bracket. In a heated press conference and media appearances, Bevacqua accused the ACC of causing permanent damage to its relationship with Notre Dame after what he described as a coordinated effort to promote Miami over the Irish.
The ACC pushed back strongly, defending its actions as appropriate conference advocacy and rejecting claims of targeting Notre Dame.
The CFP Snub That Sparked Outrage
Notre Dame finished the regular season 11–2 and ranked 11th in the final CFP rankings released December 7. Despite being ahead of Miami in all five previous committee rankings, the Hurricanes jumped to the 12th and final playoff position, bumping Notre Dame out of CFP contention.
The reversal shocked analysts and college football insiders who had viewed the Irish as a lock for postseason inclusion. Notre Dame’s exclusion comes with major financial consequences: over $55 million in lost CFP revenue.
Bevacqua’s Explosive National Media Tour
Bevacqua appeared on the Dan Patrick Show on December 8, sharply criticizing the ACC for what he called a “public campaign” to push Miami into CFP consideration. He claimed the conference repeatedly amplified Miami’s Week 1 victory over Notre Dame in broadcasts, social media and messaging narratives.
“The ACC caused permanent damage in this process. We were shocked by what felt like coordinated messaging against us.” — Pete Bevacqua
Bevacqua argued that the ACC’s actions violated trust and revealed a conflict of interest, as Notre Dame competes independently in football while participating in ACC competition for other sports.
Following the press conference, Notre Dame announced an unprecedented move: the program opted out of all bowl eligibility, becoming the first team in the playoff era to withdraw entirely from postseason play.
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips Responds
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips responded by defending the league’s decision to advocate for Miami.
Phillips stated the conference “supports all 17 member institutions” and said Notre Dame remains a valued scheduling partner. He insisted the ACC’s approach was standard and portrayed Bevacqua’s accusations as emotionally charged reactions to disappointment.
Critics, however, point to promotional broadcasts and highlight clips repeatedly featuring Miami’s victory over Notre Dame as evidence of strategic positioning.
What Comes Next for Notre Dame’s Future?
The explosive exchange raises new questions about Notre Dame’s future partnership with the ACC. Bevacqua acknowledged that the relationship is now “strained,” hinting that structural reevaluation may be inevitable.
Notre Dame retains its historic independence in football, though the rest of its athletics programs compete within the ACC. If tensions continue, realignment discussions could intensify across a shifting college sports landscape already bracing for major changes.
The CFP controversy may become a turning point in determining whether Notre Dame keeps its independence or is pushed toward conference membership—voluntarily or politically.
