🔗 Share this article Big 12 Chief Labels Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’ In a notable criticism, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for recent comments about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Source of the Tension The Fighting Irish has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s chances to enter the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the selection of the University of Miami. “They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this procedure,” Bevacqua remarked. The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to securing the head-to-head meeting between the two schools. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC conducted a targeted social media effort over multiple weeks indicating its support for Miami. A Strong Rebuke Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “In my view his behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.” The criticism is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s unique position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame. Past Context and Future Rumors Yormark further pointed out the lifeline the ACC gave Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its championship game. “It has been unacceptable,” he reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...” Talk had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's strong reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move highly improbable in the near term. Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they are declining a bowl game after missing out this year.