🔗 Share this article Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments Following CFP Snub as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’ In a strong rebuke, Brett Yormark declared that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for public comments targeting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Root of the Tension The Fighting Irish has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. The AD has argued that the ACC harmed Notre Dame’s chances to make the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the spot of the University of Miami. “The ACC does great things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial 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 berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the direct contest between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC ran a coordinated social media campaign over several weeks indicating its support for Miami. An Egregious Response Subsequently on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “My opinion is that his behavior has been out of line,” Yormark stated. “He is totally 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 especially notable given Bevacqua’s unique role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, representing the concerns of independent Notre Dame. Past Context and Future Rumors Yormark also remarked the assistance the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a full conference schedule and a berth in its title game. “It has been unacceptable,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious criticizing 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. However, Yormark's public comments on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership less likely in the near term. Notre Dame, who made the CFP championship game last season, have stated they will decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.