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Greetings from "Can't Wait For Saturday," your morning morsel of college football, courtesy of longtime Illini beat writer, AP Top 25 voter and Heisman state rep Bob Asmussen. He'll give you his views each day on the game he loves
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Illinois football fans shouldn't be envious of the rise of Indiana football, they should be inspired.
If football can become THE THING in Bloomington, it can happen in Champaign-Urbana too.
I write that as I point to an AP Top 25 that doesn't include Illinois for the first time in almost two months. Saturday's loss to Minnesota, a week after a blowout loss at Oregon, knocked Illinois out.
But I wrote something Sunday that I think might change. I said the only way back into the Top 25 this season for Illinois is to win out, including its bowl.
After putting together my Top 25 this week, I now realize the depth of rankings worthy teams doesn't go much beyond 30. Illinois is just outside that level now, but will move into poll contention by winning its next two against Michigan State and Rutgers. And if the team takes its final three of the regular season, I think there is a solid chance 9-3 Illinois returns to the Top 25.
Does it matter? Yes. To the players on the current team, who want to remember the 2024 season among the highlights of their career. And it means plenty for the future. Much easier to build toward national prominence with a higher starting point.