Big 12 Conference Commissioner Labels Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Omission as ‘Completely Out of Bounds’

At a notable criticism, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “completely out of bounds” for recent comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Root of the Dispute

Notre Dame has a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a participating member in other sports. The AD has claimed that the ACC hurt Notre Dame’s opportunities to enter the College Football Playoff, instead choosing to campaigning for the spot of the University of Miami.

“They do 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 hurt us in this process,” Bevacqua said.

Miami ultimately earned the CFP spot over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the head-to-head meeting between the two programs. Notre Dame's AD also claimed that the ACC conducted a coordinated social media campaign over several weeks showing its support for Miami.

An Egregious Rebuke

Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 commissioner spoke about the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.

“I think his actions has been out of line,” the commissioner commented. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”

This public pushback is particularly significant given Bevacqua’s special role. He serves on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of independent Notre Dame.

Historical Context and Future Rumors

Yormark further remarked the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, providing the Irish a complete conference schedule and a place in its championship game.

“It has been unacceptable,” he said again. “It’s been unacceptable going after Jim Phillips, when they helped Notre Dame during Covid...”

Speculation had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and partnering with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's pointed reprimand on Tuesday appear to make such a partnership less likely in the immediate future.

Notre Dame, who made the CFP final last season, have announced they plan to decline a bowl game after missing out this year.