They say that hope springs eternal, which is the only logical explanation for the New England Patriots topping SB Nation Boston's Week 1 Confidence Poll Results. Without having played a game of the 2010 season, the Patriots were given a 58 percent confidence rating in week 1. This confidence rating topped the Red Sox, winners of 13 of their last 18 games, and the Celtics, who are, you know, playing in the NBA Finals.
Red Sox Nation gave the Sox a confidence rating of 56, while the Celtics and Bruins tied for third with a 52 percent confidence rating.
On the college scene, Boston College edged out Connecticut with a 50 percent approval rating. UConn was the low man on the totem poll, receiving only a 46 percent approval rating. This may be, in part, due to the NCAA's recent notice of allegations on the UConn basketball program and the impending doom and gloom hovering over the Big East Conference in the conference expansion arms race.
The next round of Confidence Poll voting will open again on Monday. You can visit each of SB Nation's Boston sports communities and vote on your level of confidence in each team. Results will be posted weekly here at SB Nation Boston.