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Can't Wait For Saturday | Irish eyes are smiling in my latest Top 5

Mar. 25—Sign up for our daily Illini football newsletter here

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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It has been almost a month since I last updated my preseason Top 5. No time like the present.

The teams are a few months older and into te refinement session we call spring football.

The end game has changed for every team. It used to be to reach the ultimate goal — the four-team College Football Playoffs — required a perfect or near-perfect record. Not anymore. Schools with three losses have a chance now, So almost every team is in the hunt.

Here is who I have in my Top 5 at the moment. Reserving the right to change my mind as the season draws closer and more information becomes available.

1. Texas 1

2. Georgia 3

3. Oregon 4

4. Ohio State 2

5, Notre Dame —

Welcome aboard Fighting Irish, I like what you've done with the place.

Second-year coach Marcus Freeman is turning the offense over to former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard, who showed plenty of skill while helping with the turnaround in Durham,

The defense is loaded too, with stars across the board. The Irish will give up points and chunk plays grudgingly.

New offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock should be hit while working with Leonard,

The schedule is far from overwhelming, with the most difficult games against Southern California and Florida State. The 10 wins it will take for the Irish to likely clinch a playoff spot seem highly likely.

Let me know what you think. Another update will be on the way in mid-April.