🔗 Share this article Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Comments After CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’ During a public criticism, Big 12 chief declared that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for his remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Source of the Tension The Fighting Irish has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s bid to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the selection of the University of Miami. “The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this procedure,” the athletic director said. Miami ultimately secured the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two schools. Notre Dame's AD additionally stated that the ACC conducted a targeted social media effort over multiple weeks showing its support for Miami. A Strong Reaction Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the criticism at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “In my view his actions has been out of line,” the commissioner commented. “He is totally out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.” The criticism is especially notable given Bevacqua’s special role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame. Past Support and Future Moves The commissioner further pointed out the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its championship game. “His behavior has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been egregious criticizing Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...” Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's strong comments on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership less likely in the immediate future. The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have stated they plan to decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.