🔗 Share this article Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’ During a strong statement, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Root of the Tension Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s bid to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the spot of the University of Miami. “They does great things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this process,” the athletic director stated. Miami ultimately earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the direct meeting between the two schools. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media effort over several weeks showing its support for Miami. An Egregious Reaction Later on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “My opinion is that his actions has been out of line,” the commissioner said. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.” This public response is especially striking given Bevacqua’s prominent position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame. Historical Context and Future Moves The commissioner further highlighted the assistance the ACC gave Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a full conference schedule and a berth in its championship game. “His behavior has been egregious,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious criticizing Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...” Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's strong comments on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership less likely in the immediate future. Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have announced they are declining a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.