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You would like to say you saw it coming. That it wasn't a surprise. But you would be lying. It's what makes college football, and sports for that matter, so great. Unpredictability.

Nobody saw Illinois' Rose Bowl season coming in 2007. And nobody saw the just as swift decline in 2009.

But there are others. Teams playing better than we thought possible. And teams playing like they are hellbent on getting the coach fired.

At the midway point of what is a fascinating season, here are shockers and the head shakers:

SHOCKERS

Auburn – The school hired a guy, Gene Chizik, who went 5-19 in two seasons at Iowa State. Give the guy credit for wisely picking Gus Malzahn as his offensive coordinator. The move paid off during a five-game winning streak to start the season. Some of the shine is gone after losses to Arkansas and Kentucky.

Cincinnati – Brian Kelly's team was great during the 2008 season. It won the Big East. It went to the Orange Bowl. But it lost the entire defense. Apparently, that didn't matter. Or Kelly found a bunch of guys hanging out by Paul Brown Stadium who knew who how to tackle and cover. The Bearcats already have impressive wins at Oregon State and South Florida. Keep winning and they just might play for the national championship. And Kelly will say, "That will be $4 million please."

Duke – Not many schools would brag about a 3-3 start. Not many schools have football programs as bad as Duke's. The school made a great choice when it hired David Cutcliffe. Three more wins and they're going bowling. Wonder if Dick Vitale loves the football team?

Idaho – Start with the best nickname in sports, Vandals. Next, you've got a fun coach with two many Bs in his first name. Doesn't matter, Robb Akey has Idaho fixed after starting his career 3-21. Somebody is going to try to hire him away. If he's smart, he stays in Moscow and builds himself a WAC power. At 6-1, he's on his way to a bowl and national coaching awards.

Iowa – The Hawkeyes were supposed to be good. But they have exceeded expectations and have a chance to play for the national title. Remember, they lost Shonn Greene early to the NFL.

Texas Tech – Graham Harrell, gone. Michael Crabtree, gone. Doesn't matter. Why? Because Mike Leach stayed. A year after one of the biggest seasons in school history, Leach has the Red Raiders winning at a high level. A 10-2 finish isn't out of the question.

HEAD SHAKERS

Maryland – It isn't surprising that Terps have a losing record (2-5). What is surprising is that two of the losses came against Middle Tennessee and Virginia. And that they needed overtime to beat James Madison.

Mississippi – Clearly, the preseason expectations were a problem for Houston Nutt's team. They lost at South Carolina and weren't close against Alabama. Normally, 4-2 isn't a bad record in Oxford. But it is when you reach the top five in the national polls.

North Carolina State – The hotshot quarterback returned. So did the coach (Tom O'Brien) who left a successful Boston College program to try to dominate the ACC. The current three-game losing streak includes one against Duke that will have the folks in Durham bragging for years. At least there won't be more pain this weekend, the Wolfpack don't play.

Bob Asmussen covers college football for The News-Gazette. He can be reached at 217-351-5233 or at asmussen<@>news-gazette.com.