🔗 Share this article Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’ At a notable statement, Big 12 chief declared that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for his remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Source of the Tension Notre Dame has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s chances to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami. “They 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 damage us in this process,” the athletic director said. Miami ultimately secured the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the head-to-head contest between the two schools. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC conducted a targeted social media effort over multiple weeks indicating its preference for Miami. A Strong Response Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “In my view his behavior has been out of line,” the commissioner stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.” The criticism is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame. Past Context and Speculative Rumors The commissioner further highlighted the support the ACC gave Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a full conference schedule and a place in its championship game. “It has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been egregious criticizing Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...” Talk had circulated about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's strong comments on Tuesday seem to make such a move less likely in the immediate future. The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have announced they are declining a bowl game after missing out this year.