🔗 Share this article Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’ At a public statement, Big 12 chief asserted that Notre Dame athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public criticisms targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Source of the Controversy The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to enter the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the spot of the University of Miami. “The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we offer substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would make an effort to try to undermine us in this process,” Bevacqua stated. Miami eventually received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the direct meeting between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC conducted a targeted social media effort over several weeks indicating its preference for Miami. An Egregious Rebuke Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “My opinion is that his conduct has been out of line,” Yormark said. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.” This public response is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s special role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame. Past Support and Speculative Moves Yormark also pointed out the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its title game. “His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable going after Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...” Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's public comments on Tuesday appear to make such a move highly improbable in the near term. The Irish, who made the CFP championship game last season, have announced they are declining a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.