🔗 Share this article Big 12 Conference Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Omission as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’ In a strong statement, Big 12 Conference commissioner stated that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for his remarks targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Root of the Controversy Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s chances to enter the College Football Playoff, instead advocating for the inclusion of the University of Miami. “They do great things for Notre Dame, but we provide tremendous 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. Miami ultimately secured the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the head-to-head matchup between the two programs. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC conducted a targeted social media campaign over multiple weeks indicating its support for Miami. An Egregious Rebuke Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “In my view his conduct has been unacceptable,” Yormark commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.” The pushback is particularly notable given Bevacqua’s unique position. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame. Past Support and Future Rumors The commissioner also highlighted the support the ACC gave Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a berth in its title game. “His behavior has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable attacking the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...” Talk had circulated about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's pointed 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 plan to decline a bowl game after failing to qualify this season.