Posted by ESPN.com’s Graham Watson

From the season opener, the pressure was on the nonautomatic-qualifying schools to live up to the protests that were initiated by the Mountain West over the BCS.

	Chris Graythen/Getty Images
	Case Keenum has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes and has thrown for 19 touchdowns.

All eyes were on Boise State and BYU, who had major contests against automatic-qualifying opponents that would set the tone for the season.

And from the season opener, the non-AQ teams showed they belong.

There are five non-AQ teams in the recently released BCS standings. Those teams -- Boise State, TCU, Houston, BYU and Utah -- have combined to defeat eight automatic-qualifying teams. Several other teams such as Central Michigan, Colorado State, Louisiana-Lafayette and Middle Tennessee also have defeated automatic-qualifying teams. As the season continues to progress, the non-AQ teams continue to level the playing field.

Boise State, which is ranked No. 4 in the first BCS standings, is leading a great season by the non-AQs. If the Broncos remain undefeated, they could be in line for a shot at a possible national championship berth.

Even beyond the usual suspects, several other non-AQ teams have impressed so far this season. Central Michigan is off to its best start since 1984, Idaho has six wins for the first time since 1999 and Louisiana-Monroe, which is 3-0 atop the Sun Belt Conference, is off to its best start since the program joined the FBS.

If the non-AQ teams needed to make a statement through the first half of the season to show that they belong, they’ve done that. And they should continue to do it as the season progresses, just like they’ve done every year since 2004.

Below is a look at some of the standouts from the first half of the season and throughout the day I'll briefly break down some of the non-AQ teams and their MVP's.

Best offense

Houston: The Cougars have used their high-powered spread offense to topple all three of the automatic-qualifying teams they’ve played this season. In the process, quarterback Case Keenum has become a viable Heisman candidate. Houston leads the country in total offense with 560.33 yards per game and is third in the country in scoring offense with 40.83 points per game.

Best Defense

TCU: It seems like every year the Horned Frogs are near the top of the national rankings in total defense and so far this season, their defensive dominance has led them to a 6-0 record. The Horned Frogs are especially stingy against the run, allowing just 81.17 yards per game. All-American defensive end Jerry Hughes ranks fourth in the country with 1.33 sacks per game and 14th with 1.58 tackles for loss.

Surprise

Idaho: The Vandals came into the season believing that they had a team with the ability to make a bowl game and seven games into the season, they’re 6-1 and sitting atop the WAC standings with Boise State. Idaho has beaten good teams along the way including Northern Illinois and Colorado State, and most of that success has been because of its vaunted offense, which is scoring almost 30 points per game.

Disappointment

Nevada: The Wolf Pack came into the season with a lot of hype. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick was mentioned as a possible Heisman candidate and Nevada’s backfield -- with three 1,000-yard rushers -- was supposed to be the best in the country. But a 35-0 loss to Notre Dame, and ultimately a 0-3 start, called into question whether the Wolf Pack was going to make any waves in the conference. They’ve rebounded to be 3-3, but they’re still a far cry from the team many expected them to be.

Best game

Toledo 37, Ball State 30 (Oct. 3): There have been a lot of great games this season, but few could top the wild finish between these two Mid-American Conference teams. Ball State, which was winless, scored with 42 seconds remaining to take a 30-29 lead and the Cardinals appeared on their way to their first win of the season. But on the ensuing kickoff, Toledo returned the ball to the 49-yard line and then quarterback Aaron Opelt found receiver Stephen Williams 51 yards downfield with 27 seconds left to give the Rockets the come-from-behind win. Ball State is still winless.

** This category is best game, not biggest. Had it been the biggest, BYU’s win over Oklahoma would have been here.

Best coach

Robb Akey, Idaho: If Idaho continues on its current winning streak, Akey shouldn’t just be the WAC Coach of the Year, he should be considered for national coach of the year. Akey inherited a program that was in dire straits. He kicked several of his most athletic players off the team and had to start from scratch. But something told him this year -- three years into his tenure -- was going to be the year that the Vandals turned it all around. The Vandals have won more than five games for the first time since 1999 and could be bowl-bound for the first time since 1998.