Winners Wanted

There’s no doubt that the Denver Broncos dominate the local sports landscape without much rivalry. The NFL has the same level of preeminence on the national scene as well. But with the end of an era possibly right at our doorstep (Peyton Manning wasn’t going to play forever), there’s a good chance the Broncos could be looking at some lean years ahead. Paging Mr. Orton, Mr. Kyle Orton.

Al Davis made the phrase, “Just win, baby,” a household one during his tenure as owner of the Raiders. Doug Ottewill channeled his inner Davis and reminded us in his Daily column on Tuesday that winning tends to be the only true way to keep the fans happy.

And so, with the idea that the Broncos winning ways might be shifting more towards “hoping they can compete for the division” ways, Big Dee White and Renaud Notaro wondered what team in Colorado is poised to step in and fill their shoes as the region’s preeminent “winner.”

As they surveyed the Colorado sports landscape, they believe the answer to their question might lie in an unlikely place. With two Division I programs that have been on the rise of late and appear to have an upward trajectory this year, White and Notaro see Colorado’s next big team coming from the college basketball ranks.

Notaro made the case for both Colorado and Colorado State on Mile High Sports AM 1340.