BCS standings: Ohio State and Auburn are third and fourth behind Alabama, FSU

Coach Gus Malzahn and his one-loss Auburn team can put themselves into better BCS title-game position with a victory on Saturday against Alabama in their annual Iron Bowl game.

By Chris Dufresne

Nov. 24, 2013 12 AM PT

The last title chase in Bowl Championship Series history has been narrowed to three undefeated teams and a few one-loss teams still clinging to hope.

Previously undefeated Baylor and one-loss Oregon stepped aside this weekend with humiliating road losses to Oklahoma State and Arizona.

Unbeaten Ohio State and one-loss Auburn happily filled the standings vacuum but still need help in the next two weeks.

Alabama and Florida State remained firmly entrenched in the top two spots in Sunday’s release of the BCS standings.

The Crimson Tide continues to lead with an average of .988 followed by the Seminoles at .970.

Ohio State would have lost its slim hold on No. 3 had Baylor defeated Oklahoma State, but the Buckeyes are now solidly at three at .920.

Ohio State needs to win out against Michigan and Michigan State and then hope either Alabama or Florida State loses.

The Buckeyes can get what they need Saturday when Alabama plays at one-loss Auburn, which moved up to No. 4 in the standings.

Missouri is No. 5, still in the national-title hunt, followed by Clemson, Oklahoma State, Stanford, Baylor and South Carolina.

Florida State has, by far, the easiest path to the title game. The Seminoles face reeling Florida, coming off a loss to Georgia Southern of the Football Championship Subdivision, and then a likely game against Duke in the ACC title game.

Florida State’s plight is complicated, though, by star quarterback Jameis Winston’s potential legal problems. The Florida state attorney is still weighing whether sexual assault charges should be filed against Winston in a complaint brought forth by female Florida State student.

If charged with a felony, Winston would be ruled ineligible immediately under Florida State rules.

The state attorney said over the weekend he does not anticipate a decision before Thanksgiving.

The top two teams in the final BCS standings on Dec. 8 will play for the BCS title at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 6.

Chris.dufresne@latimes.com