The last two days for Notre Dame have been nothing but frustration, turmoil, and many telling the Fighting Irish that they were robbed. After the College Football Playoff bracket revealed that Notre Dame would not get another chance at the National Championship after their loss last season, the Fighting Irish have declined a bowl invitation and are already looking to the 2026 season.
In all of this chaos, Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua spoke to the media on Tuesday to share his insight on the entire ordeal. Bevacqua was very unhappy with the ACC and how they handled things leading up to the bracket reveal, lobbying for Miami to get in and constantly putting Notre Dame down.
Some believe a big reason for Notre Dame's snub was that they are independent and not a part of a power conference. The Fighting Irish have no way of proving themselves or getting an automatic bid without a conference championship. It seems like the damage the ACC did with Notre Dame is leading Bevacqua elsewhere when it comes to aligning with a conference, or even joining one.
Notre Dame AD talking with Greg Sankey fuels conference rumors
During his press conference on Tuesday, Bevacqua spoke about Notre Dame aligning itself with a different conference, or even joining one, but there is only one commissioner he has spoken to about this. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is the only one who has spoken with Bevacqua, which is huge in terms how making a statement.
Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua says the only Power Four conference commissioner he's spoken to since Sunday is the SEC's Greg Sankey.
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) December 9, 2025
Notre Dame is independent in football, but when it comes to all other sports, it is a part of the ACC. So if the Fighting Irish were to decide to move to the SEC, it would be a big change not just for football, but for all the other sports as well.
While everything is still fresh from the playoff snub, Bevacqua seems to be serious about leaving the ACC. Could we see Notre Dame in a new conference soon?