👋 Good Morning!

There’s just something about this time of year. At this stage of the process, the hope is still alive and anything is possible for football fans across the country.

I don’t care if we’re talking about the pros, college ball, high school or even your kid’s local middle school team — that feeling deep down in your gut, the one that tells your brain this year is going to be the one — that feeling is what keeps us coming back every season despite all of the stress and heartbreak we experience along the way.

Some say it’s the hope that kills you as a sports fan. I like to believe it’s what keeps us all going. Without it, what’s the point?

Have some hope this season. It costs the same as doubt but it’s a lot more fun.

— Justin Michael

Maybe I’ve had a little bit too much of the orange Kool-Aid. But after years of being desperate to taste any sort of success, it’s hard not to get excited about what this football season could be.

For the first time in a decade, Denver is good enough to win the AFC West. It’s going to be a tough feat to pull off given the talent in the division. But the Broncos, on paper at least, are as talented as anyone in the conference.

The offensive line is tremendous, the defense is stacked, and the team finally addressed the lack of talent at tight end and running back. The pieces are all in place to make a real run this fall.

Bo Nix is definitely going to have to make another leap after a strong rookie campaign. If he can do it, though, and avoid the infamous sophomore slump, the Broncos should be right there in the mix at the top of the AFC West.

Last year was great. It was a reset back to competitiveness after an extended stretch of embarrassment. That said, the Broncos aren’t the type of team that should just be happy to have appeared in the playoffs. That’s fine and dandy for the Tennessee Titans or Jacksonville Jaguars but there’s a different level of expectation around here.

Nix made a believer out of me last season. But if he is going to be ‘the guy’ for this franchise and truly get the fans to believe in him like we all did in Elway, Manning, even someone like Jake Plummer, the next step is finding success in the playoffs. The best way to set yourself up to do that is by winning the division.

Who will be the big breakout star in Boulder? It might just be Omarion Miller.

READ: CU’s Omarion Miller expects Heisman-type season | by Scott Procter

A lot is changing in the world of college football. A lot is happening up in Fort Collins.

READ: An ode to the Mountain West in CSU’s final season before going to the Pac-12 | by Justin Michael