🔗 Share this article Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Remarks After CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’ During a notable rebuke, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for his criticisms concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Root of the Tension 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 qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the inclusion of the University of Miami. “The ACC does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer significant football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this procedure,” Bevacqua said. Miami ultimately received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, mostly due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC conducted a targeted social media push over multiple weeks indicating its preference for Miami. An Egregious Rebuke Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “I think his actions has been unacceptable,” the commissioner stated. “He is totally out of bounds in his method and if he was in the same room, I’d say to him the same thing.” This public criticism is especially significant given Bevacqua’s prominent standing. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of football independent Notre Dame. Past Support and Speculative Moves Yormark also highlighted the support the ACC offered Notre Dame during the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a berth in its championship game. “It has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been unacceptable criticizing the ACC commissioner, when they rescued Notre Dame during Covid...” Rumors had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. Yet, the commissioner's public comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario highly improbable in the immediate future. Notre Dame, who reached the CFP final last season, have stated they plan to decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.