Transitional year in college football ahead

While putting togethere some preseason college football lists for various organizations, it is becoming readily apparent that this is a transitional year, not only in the SEC but nationally.

Consider the Heisman Trophy contenders. There's Brady Quinn at Notre Dame and Adrian Peterson at Oklahoma. Quinn doesn't have the preseason credentials Matt Leinart had at USC a year ago and Peterson was better as a freshman at OU than he was a sophomore.

The best player in the SEC? Who knows? Florida quarterback Chris Leak has the most name recognition but there's bound to be some goofball begging Urban Meyer to play true freshman Tim Tebow. Kenny Irons put up big rushing numbers at Auburn last year, but this is a guy who transferred from South Carolina so you've got to wonder just how good he really is.

No, this is a transitional year. It could be a year where some less heralded player, even a Darren McFadden at Arkansas, comes from seemingly out of nowhere to star. But as far as the Heisman Trophy is concerned, it doesn't hurt to be the best player on one of the best teams. And that will have to play itself out.