🔗 Share this article Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’ During a strong criticism, Big 12 chief declared that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Source of the Controversy Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the inclusion of the University of Miami. “They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this process,” Bevacqua stated. The Hurricanes eventually received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two teams. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media effort over several weeks showing its preference for Miami. An Egregious Response Later on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “In my view his actions has been unacceptable,” the commissioner stated. “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 criticism is especially striking given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of independent Notre Dame. Historical Context and Future Rumors The commissioner further pointed out the support the ACC gave Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its title game. “His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...” Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership highly improbable in the near term. The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have stated they plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.