It's not even officially summer yet, but there are some teams you just have a level of confidence about because they have a great coach or that one star player who means everything.

However, there are probably many more that you could point to that don't exude confidence because the coaching situation is in flux (Rick Neuheisel at UCLA) or you just aren't sure how they are going to replace a certain player (Cam Newton and Nick Fairley at Auburn).

Confidence in May probably won't equate to any wins this fall, but it sure makes some fans feel pretty good during the hot and humid days in July.

Therefore, here are the 22 teams that conjure up the most confidence right now.

Virginia Tech Hokies

The Hokies have future Hall of Fame coach Frank Beamer and one of the finest defensive coordinators in the nation in Bud Foster.

But it's pretty easy to see Virginia Tech should win a lot of games this fall. The schedule is loaded with a lot of easy games that should see the Hokies as the favorite.

Here's a bunch of very winnable games: Appalachian State (Sept. 3), at East Carolina (Sept. 10), Arkansas State (Sept. 17), at Marshall (Sept. 24), Clemson (Oct. 1), Miami (Oct. 8), at Wake Forest (Oct. 15), Boston College (Oct. 22), Duke (Oct. 29) and Virginia (Nov. 26).

Now will they win all of them? Maybe not, but it would be hard to pick against them.

Ohio Bobcats

Ohio University isn't going to scare any of the big boys in college football, but former Nebraska coach Frank Solich has led the Bobcats to back-to-back bowl games for the first time in school history.

His record since arriving in Athens isn't stellar (40-36), but the Bobcats used to be among the worst of the worst in college football.

Now fans have a reason to go to Peden Stadium besides watching Ohio's band, The Marching 110.

Stanford Cardinal

Not since Peyton Manning played at Tennessee has a college quarterback entered a season as the sure-fire No. 1 draft pick at the end of the season.

Stanford's Andrew Luck would have been the Carolina Panthers' choice in the 2011 draft, but he's a smart dude who wanted to finish his degree.

Even though former Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh bolted for the NFL, Luck exudes confidence and that means we believe in the Cardinal also.

Boise State Broncos

Boise State is the Gonzaga or Butler of college football.

While the Broncos have not had a shot at playing for a BCS Championship, most fans don't consider any win by Boise as an upset any longer.

So it won't be a surprise if the Broncos beat Georgia in the opener and TCU at home to go 12-0 this season. no comments

It has been quoted way too many times by the talking heads at ESPN and many other so-called experts, but BCS contenders can survive an early loss.

Now that means they need a few breaks along the way, but there is some logic to the statement.

Now lose two conference games early and those BCS hopes may be dashed before October even rolls around.

So here are eight teams that will know by the end of October that any shot of a BCS Bowl Game will be dashed.

Missouri Tigers

Missouri is going to be in the preseason rankings, and has flirted with a BCS berth in the past.

Yet, the Tigers always come up short.

This season, Missouri will know early that a big-time bowl is out of the question.

The Tigers may not lose each of these games—Arizona State (Sept. 9), Oklahoma (Sept. 24), Oklahoma State (Oct. 22) and Texas A&M (Oct. 29)—but it won't be a shock if they lose all four and play themselves out of contention.

Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin got on a roll last season, spurred by a huge victory over No. 1 Ohio State at Camp Randall. The Badgers reached the Rose Bowl where the sputtered against TCU.

The Badgers should be good in 2011, but not BCS good.

Maybe Wisconsin gets a close win over Nebraska at home on Oct. 1, but losses on the road with Michigan State (Oct. 22) and Ohio State (Oct. 29) will knock the Badgers out of contention.

Boise State

While Boise State has been everyone's non-BCS darling, an opening loss to Georgia in Atlanta is all it will take to take down the Broncos.

It's that simple.

Miami Hurricanes

Because of the Hurricanes' rich history of winning since the 1980s, folks associated with The U always feel Miami is a legitimate contender.

Even for the most hardcore Miami fan this mindset has been tough to hold onto, especially after a rough stretch with Randy Shannon.

Now Al Golden has plans to return the Hurricanes to their glory days, but it won't happen in 2011.

So when Miami loses to Ohio State (Sept. 17), Virginia Tech (Oct. 8), North Carolina (Oct. 15) and Georgia Tech (Oct. 22) the Hurricanes will just be fighting to get into a bowl game.

Florida Gators

Florida was a pretty average football team in 2010, and that assessment won't likely change much this season.

Will Muschamp will eventually return Florida to the top of the SEC, but there is almost no way the Gators will be playing in a BCS Bowl in 2011.

Florida will look good going into October, but the Gators may lose four straight in October.

It starts with a home game against Alabama (Oct. 1) and continues with road games against LSU (Oct. 8), Auburn (Oct. 15) and the big rivalry with Georgia (Oct. 29).

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State is a long shot BCS team, but ever since Dan Mullen took over the Bulldogs have started dreaming big.

But losses to LSU (Sept. 15), Georgia (Oct. 1) and South Carolina (Oct. 15) will end any shot at playing in the SEC title game.

Auburn Tigers

The reigning BCS champ won't even sniff a BCS game in 2011.

Auburn will still be a solid team, but the Tigers lost too much talent from a special group last year.

So when Auburn falls to South Carolina (Oct. 1), Arkansas (Oct. 8) and LSU (Oct. 22), the Tigers will be eliminated from BCS contention.

Texas Longhorns

Texas was a huge disappointment last year, but no one would be shocked to see Mack Brown's squad rebound in 2011.

But the Longhorns will not come all the way back in one year, and this year the Big 12 is going to be dominated by Oklahoma (Oct. 8) and Oklahoma State (Oct. 15).

Texas should get to eight wins, but the BCS is not going to happen.

From the burning couches of Morgantown to decorating Toomer's Corner with toilet paper, every college football fanbase has its own way to celebrate.

No matter how you choose to party after the game, nothing compares to how loud the fans get inside the stadium.

It has almost become an art form.

There's the cowbells at Mississippi State and the kissing at Texas A&M.

So if you're looking for the nuttiest, loudest fans in college football, here we go.

(For a cleaner look, we've used Bleacher Report's slideshow function)

It would be easy to look at every major college program and look at every game they have against FCS opponents and predict a blowout.

Now we've learned that this doesn't always hold true (e.g., James Madison at Virginia Tech last year), but for the purposes of this article, let's not consider any games against FCS teams.

Fortunately, there are all of those New Mexico, Western Kentucky and Eastern Michigan games to help with some easy choices.

What qualifies as a blowout? Let's go with 20 points or more.

So here's a prediction on the score of the 75 biggest blowouts for 2011.

There may not be a sport where coaching has more of an impact than in college football.

Remember when Mike Shula was coaching Alabama? Now think what a difference Nick Saban has meant to the Crimson Tide.

Not sold yet?

Think how much the Florida Gators improved (with similar talent) after Urban Meyer took over for Ron Zook.

Think Will Muschamp is feeling the pressure?

How about we rank this year's preseason Top 25 coaches?

25. Bill Stewart, West Virginia

Bill Stewart hit the lottery when he was handed the WVU job after one big bowl victory.

Now he is in his fourth and final season because he's clearly overmatched in the coaching category, and West Virginia's athletic director Oliver Luck was not going to sit back and take it any longer.

Stewart does enjoy bragging about his three consecutive nine-win seasons, but it is not that impressive when you consider the talent WVU had and the lack of a serious threat in the Big East.

You almost want to rank him lower than 25, but rules are rules.

Could we just list him as "Others receiving votes"?

24. David Shaw, Stanford

David Shaw built a reputation as an outstanding assistant coach, but until he proves himself as a head coach he lands here.

Shaw inherits some serious talent, including Heisman-favorite Andrew Luck at quarterback.

He has high expectations and there are many who believe he'll be a great replacement for Jim Harbaugh.

Until then, he's at No. 24.

23. Will Muschamp, Florida

Will Muschamp was the hot coordinator that was always mentioned for some big openings, but he was supposed to be waiting to take over when Mack Brown left Texas.

He got anxious and jumped at the Florida gig.

Texas is still the better job, but working in Gainesville is a decent consolation prize. no comments

Old, historical football stadiums are part of the charm of the college game.

Notre Dame, Ohio State and Penn State play in some of the best stadiums. One big reason why is upgrades over the years.

Then there are those stadiums that haven’t kept up with the times and the time may be right for a new one or some serious renovations.

Here are 20 that could go either way.

20. Rentschler Field, Connecticut

Rentschler Field opened less than 10 years ago, so tearing it down and starting over is not an option.

However, UConn feels it is a big-time program now, so making an investment in a stadium expansion program is a good step.

Shouldn’t the defending Big East champions be able to hold more than 40,000 for a home game?

Stop laughing.

19. Rose Bowl, UCLA

It may be blasphemous to say this in Big Ten or Pac-12 country, but the Rose Bowl is not the best location to play five to seven home games each season.

If the stadium were so great, would Los Angeles still be lacking an NFL franchise?

Because of the “bowl” design, many fans are forced to seat 50 or 60 yards away from the action on the field.

18. Martin Stadium, Washington State

The Cougars have been an embarrassment of a football team for a long time, and Martin Stadium hasn’t been much better.

Paul Wulff can't blame all of Washington State's woes on the stadium, but it's a start.

Of course Washington State has plans to renovate it, but until then Martin Stadium stays on the list.

17. Kinnick Stadium, Iowa

The atmosphere at Kinnick Stadium is among the best in the nation. no comments

History proves that preseason rankings are flawed.

There was that year in the 1990s when Arizona was everyone’s preseason No. 1 and the Wildcats didn’t even finish in the Top 25.

Last year Texas, which finished 5-7, was ranked as high as fourth.

The eventual champion Auburn started the season at No. 22.

Is your favorite team a preseason Top 25 program?

Who cares? It means nothing. Here’s a look at 10 teams that could drop out of the Top 25 during the season.

10. Boise State

Boise State has built up enough respect that the Broncos could slip up a few times and still be ranked.

But if Boise loses to Georgia and TCU, no one should rank them.

Lose your only two legitimate games and you can’t be a Top 25 team.

There aren’t too many other non-BCS teams that could lose two (or even three) games and remain ranked.

9. South Carolina

The Gamecocks are receiving some sweet preseason love.

Steve Spurrier’s squad may live up to the hype, but raise your hand if you believe (only those of you who live outside of Columbia, SC). no comments

College football coaches make ridiculous salaries, but the big money does not mean they have lost their passion.

Some coaches are sort of fatherly—kind of like Joe Paterno.

Some coaches are sort of "Aw, shucks" fun—kind of like Bill Stewart.

Then there are those coaches who like to yell.

Interesting fact, most of the yellers are also winners—coincidence?

Here are the top 10 sets of lungs in college football.

HM. Mack Brown, Texas

There was a time when Mack Brown seemed like a player’s second father.

Then the Longhorns went 5-7, and Brown went all Russian mafia on his team; he brought in new coaches and called out his players for being heartless.

Brown still has a fiery personality, and clearly winning is more important than being loved.

10. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma

Bob Stoops has calmed down a bit, but you don’t annually keep a program in the top 10 without having an edge.

Stoops will still jump an official and get in the face of a player if needed.

He just does a better job of keeping it out of the media firestorm. no comments

When spring football practice closes, almost every college football team pitches a story of promise.

That’s right, we all want and believe our team is going to be better next season.

It's the job of the PR department to tell you how good the team is going to be.

Don’t believe the hype; not everyone can be better.

Here are 30 teams that should be better in 2011.

Alabama

The Crimson Tide have a talented offensive line, Trent Richardson running the ball and, before fall, Nick Saban will mold someone into his starting quarterback.

The defense will be its normal stout self and the Tide will be tough for anyone to beat.

If Alabama is not playing in the 2012 BCS Championship Game it will be a shock.

2010 Record: 10-3

2011 Prediction: 14-0

Arizona State

Take a close look at the Sun Devils in 2010 and you see a team that was so close to breaking through.

If Dennis Erickson can work a little of his magic again, Arizona State could be playing for a Pac-12 championship.

On offense, Brock Osweiler is part of a deep quarterback class in the Pac-12. On defense, Vontaze Burfict is one of the best players in the conference.

2010 Record: 6-6

2011 Prediction: 11-2

Baylor

Robert Griffin is back at quarterback and he's done his best to make Baylor relevant.

Coach Art Briles needs to show he's worth the $1.8 million a year.

There is the tough non-league game with TCU, but the Bears have seven potential wins on the schedule. Add in a bowl win and Baylor is better than last season. no comments

Some of college football’s coaching legends had rough first years.

Bobby Bowden went 5-6 in his first season at Florida State. Joe Paterno went 5-5 in 1966 at Penn State. And Frank Beamer won only two games in his first year at Virginia Tech.

Those three coaches recovered just fine—even though it took Beamer longer than the rest.

Then there are those coaches who almost achieved too much, too early.

Here are 10 of the best ever first seasons.

10. Jimbo Fisher, Florida State (2011)

Jimbo Fisher’s first season at FSU wasn’t legendary, but going 10-4 after replacing a legend is still pretty special.

The Seminoles had fallen off a bit in Bobby Bowden’s later years, so Fisher’s performance is highlighted as a huge success.

It seems all FSU needed was a new perspective and all was well again in Tallahassee.

Of course, Fisher is also doing an amazing job of recruiting so how long will it take until the Noles are a serious contender again?

9. Tom Osborne, Nebraska (1973)

Tom Osborne had taken over for another legend, Bob Devaney, and answered the call right away.

The Cornhuskers went 9-2-1 and finished seventh in the nation in Osborne’s first season.

Nebraska reached No. 2 in the rankings when it was upset at Missouri 13-12. Osborne’s team also tied Oklahoma State and were thumped by rival Oklahoma.

Osborne rallied his team for a big 19-3 win over Texas in the Cotton Bowl. no comments