🔗 Share this article Big 12 Conference Chief Calls Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’ In a strong criticism, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Source of the Tension The Fighting Irish maintains a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has argued that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the selection of the University of Miami. “The ACC does great 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 hurt us in this process,” Bevacqua remarked. Miami ultimately earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the direct matchup between the two programs. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media push over several weeks showing its preference for Miami. A Strong Rebuke Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “In my view his actions has been egregious,” Yormark said. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.” The pushback is especially significant given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame. Historical Support and Speculative Moves The commissioner further remarked the assistance the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a full ACC schedule and a berth in its championship game. “His behavior has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...” Talk had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's public comments on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership less likely in the immediate future. Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have announced they plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.