No one is disagreeing with you nor arguing that somehow CSU is better situated historically. I think the point is...that if you read some of the rhetoric on here it becomes clear that CU fans would never want to consider themselves on par "historically" with say a Washington or BYU. I think most Buff fans believe their program's history situates them in far more elite company.
I think historically CU compares very well with Washington and BYU. All three are solid programs. I wouldn't put CU ahead of either school, frankly. The schools that are ahead of them would be the heavyweights like Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska (ouch, did I say that?) Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, USC, Alabama. CU is not in that league, but I'd say we're only a step below.