🔗 Share this article Big 12 Chief Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’ In a public rebuke, Big 12 Conference commissioner declared that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for recent criticisms concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Source of the Tension The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. Bevacqua has claimed that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s chances to enter the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the spot of the University of Miami. “The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would make an effort to try to hurt us in this procedure,” Bevacqua stated. The Hurricanes ultimately earned the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the head-to-head matchup between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC conducted a targeted social media push over several weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami. A Strong Reaction Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner responded to the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “My opinion is that his conduct has been out of line,” the commissioner stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.” The response is especially striking given Bevacqua’s special standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame. Historical Context and Future Rumors The commissioner further pointed out the support the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a full ACC schedule and a berth in its title game. “His behavior has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...” Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's strong reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a scenario less likely in the near term. Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after missing out this season.