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At a public statement, Big 12 Conference commissioner asserted that Notre Dame AD, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public comments concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

The Source of the Tension

The Fighting Irish has a gridiron scheduling agreement with the ACC and is a participating member in all other sports. Bevacqua has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s opportunities to qualify for the College Football Playoff, instead pushing for the spot of the University of Miami.

“They 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 selection,” the athletic director remarked.

The Hurricanes ultimately received the CFP berth over Notre Dame, primarily due to winning the direct meeting between the two teams. Bevacqua also claimed that the ACC ran a targeted social media push over several weeks demonstrating its preference for Miami.

An Egregious Reaction

Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark addressed the comments at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.

“I think his conduct has been out of line,” Yormark said. “He is totally out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the room, I’d say to him the same thing.”

This public criticism is especially notable given Bevacqua’s unique position. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee with the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of football independent Notre Dame.

Past Support and Future Rumors

Yormark also highlighted the support the ACC gave Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a place in its championship game.

“It has been unacceptable,” Yormark said again. “It’s been egregious attacking Jim Phillips, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”

Talk had spread about Notre Dame possibly splitting with the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, Yormark's public comments on Tuesday seem to make such a partnership unlikely in the immediate future.

Notre Dame, who reached the CFP championship game last season, have indicated they are declining a postseason invitation after missing out this season.