🔗 Share this article Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’ In a strong statement, Big 12 Conference commissioner declared that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Root of the Controversy The Fighting Irish maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the spot of the University of Miami. “They do great things for Notre Dame, but we bring significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this selection,” Bevacqua remarked. Miami ultimately earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the direct matchup between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media campaign over multiple weeks demonstrating its support for Miami. An Egregious Response Later on Tuesday, Yormark responded to the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “My opinion is that his conduct has been egregious,” the commissioner commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.” The criticism is especially notable given Bevacqua’s prominent role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of football independent Notre Dame. Historical Context and Future Moves The commissioner also remarked the support the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its title game. “It has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable attacking the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...” Talk had spread about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, Yormark's public reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move unlikely in the near term. The Irish, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have stated they are declining a postseason invitation after missing out this season.