🔗 Share this article Big 12 Chief Labels Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’ In a strong rebuke, Brett Yormark stated that Notre Dame's AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “entirely out of bounds” for public comments 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 claimed that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s bid to enter the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the spot of the University of Miami. “They does wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we offer tremendous football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to undermine us in this procedure,” Bevacqua said. The Hurricanes ultimately earned the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, primarily due to securing the direct meeting between the two schools. Bevacqua additionally stated that the ACC conducted a targeted social media effort over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami. An Egregious Reaction Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “I think his behavior has been unacceptable,” the commissioner said. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d tell him the same thing.” This public pushback is especially notable given Bevacqua’s prominent standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the interests of independent Notre Dame. Historical Support and Speculative Moves The commissioner further highlighted the assistance the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, giving the Irish a full ACC schedule and a berth in its championship game. “His behavior has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been egregious criticizing Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...” Rumors had circulated about Notre Dame potentially splitting with the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, Yormark's public reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a move unlikely in the immediate future. The Irish, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they will decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.