It's Serious in September

I cold chill at a party in a b-boy stance
And rock on the mic and make the girls wanna dance

The month of September looks to be a crucial one for all of our fair state's major teams. By October 1, what we we know?

-BRONCOS- The convergence of an ineffective offense, injuries, rumors (Pat Bowlen may have "forgot" that Jay Cutler called him?), Brandon Marshall, and stale popcorn at Invesco have lead to huge negativity coming from Dove Valley. As lifelong Donk fans, we haven't quite seen this level of gloom and doom since the pre-Elway years. September was to be the "easy" portion of the schedule with winnable games versus the Bengals, the Browns, and the Raiders. Lose all three of those, and the Donks could be looking at an NFL-worst record.

-BUFFS- The season's first month will see the Black and Gold favored in each one of their games. Each one is a unique "trap" game that Hawk's crew can't overlook: the always feisty opener versus the Sheep; a game at Toledo just a scant five days later; and a matchup with Wyoming, who's new coach lit up the Buffs as Mizzou's offensive coordinator the last three years. October 1 will see the Buffs again on national TV at West Virginia, and a 3-0 record could add huge luster to that tilt.

-ROCKIES- Not since the 1995 Wildcard run have the Purp entered September in the thick of the race, both the division and WC. With the majority of their games at home versus teams playing out the proverbial stretch, the Rox have a golden opp to seize the postseason- or gag it away. Nestled in the home schedule is what will most likely determine their fate, a nine game mid-September march through San Diego, San Francisco, and Arizona.

-AVS- The post-Sakic era begins with the local ice hockey team assembling for camp. Can their new staff get a cast of youngsters and plug-ins to mesh? If they can steal some early points, the young Avs could muster a confidence and swagger to make a push for a eight seed. Or they might stumble early, mid-season, and late-season to add anothe rhigh draft pick to the ranks.

-NUGGETS- The hoopers dont have anything scheduled for September, but is the team working hard to erase last season's West Finals disappointment? A even fitter Melo with increased strength could be key with the Nugs again light on the big men. Will Birdman, with his fat contract be more lax this off-season? If September sees a healthy Nene and K-Mart coming into October camp, the front line again could ease concerns. And will the front office use September to send out feelers to bring in more help, especially since their WC rivals did all summer.

-SLUSHY GUTTER- The onset of football season and the baseball pennant race has the collective livers screaming "ahhhhhhhhhh!" Or is it "thank you sir, may I have another?"

RELATED: Leaders of the New School - "What's Next" - ("Sunrise to sunset, yes you will remember, born on the 19th day of September.") and Nine - "Any Emcee" - ("Like C. Boogie Brown I was born on the 19th day of September, Nine: the number one contender!")