AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn coach Gene Chizik is dealing with another blow during a miserable season. This time, it’s deeply personal.

His mother, Rita, passed away Monday morning.

“It’s been a tough 24 hours for me personally and my family with the passing of my mother,” Chizik said on Tuesday. “That’s never easy, no matter how old you get. It’s been quite challenging, but I do want to say on an encouraging note it was really good to hear from so many great Auburn people that were very supportive, and people outside the Auburn family as well.”

It has been a trying four-plus months for Chizik and the Tigers since two former players — Ed Christian and LaDarious Phillips — were killed at a pool party near campus in June.

On the field, Auburn is 1-6 for its worst start in 60 years.

Golson to start

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said quarterback Everett Golson, a Myrtle Beach product, did well during a full workout and will start for the No. 5 Fighting Irish at No. 8 Oklahoma on Saturday.

Kelly said Golson is at 100 percent. Kelly benched Golson against Brigham Young last week as a precaution, saying he wanted to give him more time to recover from a concussion sustained in a helmet-to-helmet hit against Stanford.

Kansas to start Cummings

Kansas coach Charlie Weis is sticking with Michael Cummings rather than Dayne Crist as the starting quarterback for Saturday’s game against Texas.

Cummings replaced Crist late in the game against Oklahoma State two weeks ago and provided enough of a spark to earn the job last week at Oklahoma. The redshirt freshman was 10 of 21 for 111 yards with two interceptions in the 52-7 loss to the Sooners.

Mannion returns

Quarterback Sean Mannion will start for No. 7 Oregon State against Washington on Saturday, less than three weeks after undergoing a surgical procedure on his left knee.

Mannion missed two games after he was hurt in an Oct. 6 victory against Washington State. The MRI revealed the need for surgery to repair the meniscus in his knee.

Cody Vaz started in Mannion’s place and Oregon State has remained unbeaten.

Buckeyes, Ducks to meet

Ohio State and Oregon have agreed to a home-and-home series with games to be played in 2020 in Eugene, Ore., and in 2021 in Ohio Stadium.

BCS date set

The 2014 BCS championship game, the last one before the postseason goes to a four-team playoff, has been moved up a day to Jan. 6.

The move puts the game on a Monday night instead of a Tuesday night.

BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock said moving the game closer to the weekend makes it “more fan-friendly in terms of travel.” Monday is also usually more conducive for better television ratings.

Oregon tackle reinstated

Oregon has lifted the suspension for senior defensive tackle Isaac Remington.

The decision came after The Register-Guard newspaper reported that Eugene prosecutors had decided not to pursue a driving under the influence charge against Remington.