🔗 Share this article Big 12 Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’ During a public rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner declared that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for public comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Source of the Controversy The Fighting Irish maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s bid to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the selection of the University of Miami. “The ACC do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to damage us in this selection,” Bevacqua remarked. The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head matchup between the two schools. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC ran a coordinated social media campaign over several weeks indicating its support for Miami. A Strong Response Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “I think his actions has been egregious,” the commissioner said. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.” This public pushback is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s special role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame. Past Support and Speculative Moves Yormark further pointed out the assistance the ACC offered Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its championship game. “It has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing Jim Phillips, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...” Speculation had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's public reprimand on Tuesday seem to make such a move less likely in the immediate future. Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have stated they are declining a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.