🔗 Share this article Big 12 Commissioner Calls Notre Dame Comments After CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’ During a strong rebuke, Brett Yormark asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent remarks about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Source 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 harmed Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to advocating for the selection of the University of Miami. “They do wonderful things for Notre Dame, but we provide substantial football value to the ACC, and we couldn't comprehend why you would go out of your way to try to undermine us in this selection,” Bevacqua said. Miami eventually earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the direct contest between the two programs. Bevacqua further alleged that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media effort over multiple weeks showing its preference for Miami. A Strong Rebuke Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner addressed the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “My opinion is that his actions has been unacceptable,” the commissioner stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his approach and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.” This public criticism is particularly striking given Bevacqua’s prominent standing. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the concerns of independent Notre Dame. Historical Context and Speculative Rumors Yormark also pointed out the assistance the ACC provided Notre Dame in the Covid-affected 2020 season, providing the Irish a full ACC schedule and a place in its title game. “It has been unacceptable,” he reiterated. “It’s been egregious attacking the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...” Talk had circulated about Notre Dame potentially leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. Yet, Yormark's strong comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario unlikely in the near term. Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have indicated they are declining a bowl game after missing out this season.