The college football season is halfway over and the Run for the Roses has been full of surprised. We asked our experts to look back and review the first half of the season.

Kirk Herbstreit Biggest surprise: Of course, there are the obvious choices of Maryland and Fresno State, and those teams have done great jobs. But UCLA is playing Big Ten-style football -- dominating on defense, a great running game and few mistakes. We knew the Bruins were going to be good -- but how good they look in every facet of the game is the real surprise of this college football season. Biggest disappointment: Pittsburgh. I thought the Panthers would be in the upper echelon of the Big East. But they are struggling on both sides of ball and their star player -- Antonio Bryant -- looks distraught. Midseason MVP: Tie between two Bruins. DeShaun Foster has carried his team offensively, he's stayed healthy and he's running like a madman. Inside linebacker Robert Thomas symbolizes the revamped Bruin defense. Their new attitude and confidence centers around Thomas' ability. Midseason coach of the year: Ralph Friedgen of Maryland. Friedgen inherited a program that was a perennial loser and has them believing. This is not a fluke, Maryland is playing smart football, they have a great defense, and the renewed attitude of their team is a credit to their head coach. Rose Bowl bound: I'm sticking with Miami-Oklahoma. However, the winner of the UCLA-Oregon game has me rethinking my pick -- UCLA is the most complete team in the country right now -- a little bit, but I'm sticking with my preseason pick.

Rod Gilmore Biggest surprise: Maryland. The last two years the Terps finished 5-6 and failed to earn a bowl bid. Now, the Terps are the only undefeated team in the ACC and have a legitimate shot at unseating perennial champ Florida State. Biggest disappointment: Three-way tie. First, USC. The Trojans have lots of speed and talent, a defensive expert in Pete Carroll, and an offensive expert in Norm Chow. They were expected to contend in the Pac-10. However, the Trojans are just 2-4 and may not earn a bowl bid. Second, Notre Dame. Before the season started, Bob Davie called this his most talented Notre Dame team and said there would be "no excuses." The Irish started 0-3 and are now 2-3. They may struggle to reach a bowl. Finally, Penn State winless? Enough said. Midseason MVP: Lots of candidates (Julius Peppers, Dwight Freeney, DeShaun Foster, Bruce Perry, etc.) but I like Roy Williams of Oklahoma. He's the best safety in college football. He destroyed Texas in one of the biggest games of the year. Midseason coach of the year: Ralph Friedgen. Changing a losing attitude is the hardest thing for a coach to do. I noticed in the N.C. State game that Friedgen had Maryland playing with a lot of confidence. He has them believing that they are a good team and that they can win. Heck, he has the players singing the school song after wins. Also, he gave Bruce Perry a shot at running back when the prior staff wanted him to be a DB. He's winning with the same players that the prior staff had. Rose Bowl bound: Oklahoma-Florida. I still believe that Oklahoma has the best defense and the mettle to win close games. Even though Florida has a loss, I think they still have a shot to get to the Rose Bowl (although it looks like the Miami-Virginia Tech winner has the easiest road).

Todd Christensen Biggest surprise: Fresno State. Small school in the San Joaquin Valley in the Top Ten -- Who wudda thunk it? Biggest disappointment: Oregon State. It is a precipitous fall from being prognosticated national champs to where they are now. Midseason MVP: Ken Dorsey. He's the QB on the best team in the country. Midseason coach of the year: Larry Coker. Of course, he has a load of talent, but let's not forget he is a brand new head coach -- you can't get a better start than this. Rose Bowl bound: Sticking with Miami-Nebraska. Miami looks as good as they can. They do have a tough game in Blacksburg, but they've already proven themselves on the road and they will be geared up for their contest against Virginia Tech. Nebraska has their biggest game -- Oklahoma -- at home, and will be looking for redemption.

Rece Davis Biggest surprise: Still Fresno State, although Washington State is a close second. If Auburn keeps it up, they could overtake both because we knew Fresno and Wazzu at least had some talent and experience. Auburn's talent was unproven coming into the year. Biggest disappointment: Mississippi State. Can't lose to Troy State at home, period. They look as if they've quit. Oregon State and Pittsburgh get honorable (or dishonorable) mention. Midseason MVP: DeShaun Foster, UCLA. He's simply the best back in college football. David Carr and Woodrow Dantzler have been outstanding as well. Midseason coach of the year: Mike Price, Washington State. Even though Herbstreit was on the bandwagon early, I didn't believe until they won on the Farm. Pat Hill is right up there, too. Rose Bowl bound: Florida and Oklahoma are still the best teams. But the Gators made their road very difficult by blowing one at Auburn. UCLA is close to being as good as UF and OU, but I can't see them being perfect in Pac-10. I'll say Oklahoma and Virginia Tech in the Rose Bowl now. Virginia Tech based on an easy schedule and Miami at home. OU because until somebody beats them when it counts I won't believe they'll lose. Plus, if they lose at Lincoln next week, their chances of recovery based on potential BCS quality wins gives them a decent shot at being a one-loss team in title game.

Mel Kiper Biggest surprise: Maryland. The Terrapins, under first-year head coach Ralph Friedgen, have found ways to win games and 6-0. It wasn't a surprise that they were 5-0, but then they beat Georgia Tech. He's been implementing a complex offense, but the players have adapted quickly. Bruce Perry has been more than adequate filling the void left by LaMont Jordan. Maryland hasn't been able to get into a bowl for years, and now the Terrapins are the first bowl-eligible team. They have done things they haven't done since the Bobby Ross era. Biggest disappointment: Oregon State/Mississippi State. The Beavers were a team some thought could compete for a national championship. I thought it was far too optimistic, considering the key players they have lost. Still, I thought they would be in the Pac-10 with Oregon and UCLA. It hasn't happened. Mississippi State is another disappointment, especially losing to Troy State at home to go 1-4. It was one of the shocking losses of the year. I expected the Bulldogs to be a favorite to win the SEC West. Midseason MVP: David Carr. He has been outstanding and an unbelievable leader at Fresno State. He got the Bulldogs through three brutally tough games early. They were down 20-10 at the half at Wisconsin. Oregon State cut Fresno State's lead to seven before Carr responded with a TD pass. Last week Carr sent them into overtime to win at Colorado State. He has been the difference-maker, making Fresno State a surprise along with Maryland. Midseason coach of the year: Ralph Friedgen. His team is the first one bowl-eligible. Maryland has beaten North Carolina and Virginia as well as Georgia Tech and Wake Forest on the road. The Terrapins have created opportunities for themselves by forcing other teams' mistakes. That's coaching. Friedgen is the difference at Maryland. Their success speaks volumes about what Friedgen has done as a head coach. Rose Bowl bound: Miami vs. Oklahoma. I said Miami and Texas at the outset. It will be tough for the Longhorns to re-enter the national title hunt. I have to stick with Miami. The Hurricanes can win at Virginia Tech on Dec. 1. I pick Oklahoma out of respect for the Sooners as the defending national champions. The defending national champ should always be No. 1 the following year. I will put them there until someone beats them. It will be tough for them to win at Nebraska, but I think they can.