🔗 Share this article Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’ During a public criticism, Big 12 chief asserted that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Root of the Dispute The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the spot of the University of Miami. “The ACC do great 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 selection,” Bevacqua said. Miami ultimately earned the CFP berth over Notre Dame, largely due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC engaged in a coordinated social media campaign over multiple weeks indicating its support for Miami. A Strong Response Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “My opinion is that his conduct has been unacceptable,” the commissioner stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his method and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.” This public pushback is especially notable given Bevacqua’s unique standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame. Past Context and Future Rumors The commissioner also remarked the support the ACC offered Notre Dame during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a full conference schedule and a berth in its title game. “It has been unacceptable,” Yormark reiterated. “It’s been unacceptable going after the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...” Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership less likely in the near term. The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they plan to decline a postseason invitation after failing to qualify this season.