🔗 Share this article Big 12 Chief Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’ During a notable criticism, Big 12 chief stated that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Source of the Controversy Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC actively damaged 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 significant football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to damage us in this process,” Bevacqua said. The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the head-to-head matchup between the two programs. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC engaged in a targeted social media effort over multiple weeks indicating its support for Miami. A Strong Reaction Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “My opinion is that his conduct has been unacceptable,” Yormark said. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.” This public response is especially notable given Bevacqua’s special standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of football independent Notre Dame. Past Support and Speculative Rumors The commissioner further pointed out the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its title game. “It has been egregious,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious attacking Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...” Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario highly improbable in the near term. Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this year.