Defenses setting tone in SEC

Where have you gone, Tim Tebow, Cam Newton and Ryan Mallett?

The Southeastern Conference still has plenty of star power this season. But instead of quarterbacks generating the buzz, it's a collection of defensive standouts whose impact has already been felt across the country.

Names like Tyrann Mathieu, Courtney Upshaw and Melvin Ingram have already into the Heisman Trophy discussion over the past few weeks. They figure to have staying power, especially since No. 1 LSU with Mathieu and No. 2 Alabama behind Upshaw, Dont'a Hightower and a host of other talented players continue to march through the competition on their way to a widely anticipated Nov. 5 clash in …