Do you realistically believe CU will win a NC in the near future? There's no reason why we can't have a ranked team, but we just don't have the $, facilities, or fan support to win a National Championship. Things were alot different in 1990. Dan Hawkins was blowing smoke out of his *****, when he said he was here to compete for National Championships. Pac 12 Championships - sure we can win some with the right coaching staff.
Is it as likely as it would be for a Texas or a Alabama no but CU can reasonably contend for a national championship just like some big money programs compete for mediority such a aTm and Michigan over the past few years.
They have been down recently but nobody counts Miami out of the national championship race. The fact is that they have some advantages being in the middle of the Florida recruiting base (and having to compete with everybody and their brother for those recruits) but Miami gets less TV revenue than CU will get in the PAC 12, has lower attendance at lower ticket prices than CU does, and I haven't seen anything about them having a great base of individual donors to up revenue. Safe to say they have lower revenue in football and likely overall than CU but they are considered a premium program.
For CU to become a championship contender we need the following:
Certain facilities undates and upgrades including an expansion of Dal Ward and upgrade of the S&C facilities, Bohn has already indicated that this is in the intial stages of planning.
An upgrade in cold weather practice facilities, the bubble isn't bad and a number of NFL teams use them but an indoor practice structure with a full length field would help in recruiting and preparation. This as well has already been discussed and is not a pipe dream although it is also not immediately going to happen.
Most importantly a commitment from the administration to allow the football program the flexibility it needs to compete on the recruiting front. This means providing the support in terms of admissions to allow a limited number of recruits who are qualified by NCAA standards into the school who have not been allowed in recent years. Mac had this flexibility and managed properly many of these players not only contributed to the football success but also had academic success. This is a step that can be implemented immediately and not have any significant measurable financial impact on the school or the program.
We may never have facilities to match Texas or a number of other schools but those schools also don't have Boulder, the mountains, etc. We didn't have the greatest facilities in the country or even the Big 8 when Mac was winning. We did use the advantages we had available and Dr. Gee supported the program in terms of administrative support. Get us back in the ballgame there and the rest is doable.
By the way the last time I looked Oregon is winning the PAC 10 this year and playing for the national championship, USC has done the same recently. Thus it follows that if you are competing for the conference championship you are at a level to at least be in the discussion for the national championship in at least some years.