The Buffaloes and Rams, with their sizable fan bases behind them, strode confidently into Denver on Friday afternoon, turning Broncos Country into a celebration of college football.
There was no shortage of buzz surrounding the 88th installment of the Rocky Mountain Showdown between Colorado and Colorado State. The soundtrack provided by the blaring speakers and constant laughter of tailgate parties — with the aroma only a giant afternoon BBQ can provide — filled the parking lot outside Sports Authority Field at Mile High more than four hours before the 6 p.m. kickoff.
The sounds blended into a chorus of optimism for two programs with plenty to prove.