Alabama and Florida State hold the top two spots in the first BCS standings of the season. Oregon was a close third behind the second-place Seminoles.
The BCS is in its final season. It will be replaced by a four-team playoff next season.
The Seminoles (.9348 BCS average) are coming off their biggest win of the season, a 51-14 pasting of Clemson.
The Ducks (.9320) have only played one team that was ranked at the time, but could get a boost in the next two weeks with games against UCLA and at Stanford. Ohio State is a more distant fourth, followed by Missouri in the standings released Sunday night.
The top two teams in the final standings play in the Rose Bowl for the national title in January.
Alabama is No. 1 on the strength of being top-ranked by a wide margin in both the USA Today coaches’ poll and Harris poll. The Crimson Tide are second in the computer ratings. Florida State is No. 1 in the computer ratings and third in each poll. Oregon is second in the polls and fourth in the computers.
Halliday shines in WSU’s loss
Late Saturday, Connor Halliday completed 58 of 89 passes for 557 yards and four touchdowns — but Washington State (4-4, 2-3 Pac-12) still lost, 62-38, to No. 2 Oregon (7-0, 4-0).
His 89 attempts broke the FBS record of 83 set by Drew Brees for Purdue on Oct. 10, 1998, against Wisconsin. The 58 completions broke the Pac-12 record set by Arizona’s Matt Scott last season, and his total yards set a Washington State record.
Marcus Mariota threw for 327 yards and two TDs for Oregon, but also fumbled twice for his first two turnovers of the season.
Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti complained following the game about the Cougars leaving in their starters and throwing for two late touchdowns.
Aliotti called out Washington State coach Mike Leach, calling the tactic ‘‘low class.’’ Aliotti apologized for the criticism Sunday night, saying ‘‘I got caught up in the emotion . . . I'm embarrassed.’’
Kelly ‘hopeful’ Rees can play
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly sounded hopeful quarterback Tommy Rees will be ready to play Saturday against Air Force after sustaining a neck injury against USC. Kelly said he expects Rees to practice Tuesday . . . South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said quarterback Connor Shaw won’t need surgery for his sprained left knee. But Shaw is unlikely to play when the 20th-ranked Gamecocks travel to No. 5 Missouri this weekend . . . Ha Ha Clinton-Dix returned from a two-game suspension to Alabama’s defense at a fortuitous time. Starting strong safety Vinnie Sunseri went down early in Saturday night’s win over Arkansas with a left knee injury that coach Nick Saban said could be serious . . . Auburn safety Josh Holsey is out for the season. He injured a knee during last Thursday’s practice. It is unknown if surgery will be required.
Washington legend James dies
Don James, the longtime University of Washington football coach who led the Huskies to a share of the national title in 1991, died Sunday. He was 80. The university said James died at his home in Seattle from pancreatic cancer. Obituary, B11 . . . The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced that it is working with Grambling officials to ‘‘ensure that the appropriate actions are made’’ to resolve the standoff between the school’s football players and administration. Players, who forfeited Saturday’s game at Jackson State, are scheduled to practice Monday, but it’s unclear if any will show up.
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