Notre Dame AD Criticizes ACC After CFP Snub

Notre Dame’s athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, expressed his disappointment after the Fighting Irish were excluded from the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the 2025 season. His frustration was aimed not only at the CFP rankings but also at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), which Notre Dame has been associated with in various sports.

Criticism of the ACC Following CFP Snub

Bevacqua shared his views during an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” indicating that he was “mystified” by the ACC’s actions. He commented on the damaging effects on the relationship between Notre Dame and the ACC. The Fighting Irish, while independent in football, have been associated with the ACC for almost every other sport since 2014, committing to play at least five games against ACC opponents each season.

Notre Dame’s Performance and CFP Rankings

• Season Record: Notre Dame finished the season with a record of 10-1, having won ten consecutive games after two early losses.
• Key Victories: The team achieved significant wins, including a blowout victory over Syracuse (70-7) on November 22.
• Losses: Notre Dame’s only defeats were against Miami (27-24) and Texas A&M (one point).

Despite their impressive performance, Notre Dame was ranked 11th in the final CFP standings, falling just short of the playoff berth. Meanwhile, Miami secured the 10th spot, despite Notre Dame’s earlier victory against them.

CFP Selection Process Review

CFP selection committee chair Hunter Yurachek acknowledged the scrutiny of both teams during the selection process. He stated that while the statistics on paper were similar, head-to-head performance played a critical role in their decision-making.

Bevacqua noted that the ACC had highlighted Miami’s win over Notre Dame through promotional materials, raising concerns over impartiality. The focus on their head-to-head matchup complicated perceptions of fairness in rankings.

Future of Notre Dame-ACC Relations

The relationship’s current state was described by Bevacqua as “strained.” When questioned if the situation was irreparable, he mentioned that it had opened their eyes, suggesting this could prompt a reevaluation of future collaboration with the ACC.

As of now, Notre Dame has decided to withdraw from consideration for any bowl games this season, marking a significant move post-CFP exclusion.

The ACC has yet to respond to the critiques raised by Notre Dame. This ongoing situation underscores the complexities and tensions inherent in collegiate athletics as teams navigate both performance and external judgment.