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.

The second time as a head coach hasn't been perfect for Mike Locksley. But it so much better than the first.

After helping Illinois football to the Rose Bowl in 2008 and another solid offensive season the next, Locksley left the comfort of Ron Zook's staff for the long shot that was New Mexico football. It did not go well, Locksley finishing 1-11 his first two seasons then getting fired after starting 0-4 in the third.

In hindsight, he should have waited for a better offer. Had he stayed at Illinois longer, who knows what would have happened for him and Zook.

Locksley rebuilt his brand by spending seven seasons (initially) at Maryland as coordinator and later interim head coach.

Then, he worked three seasons for Nick Saban at Alabaaa, which was always a good idea.

Maryland was impressed with his work and brought him back home as head coach in 2019.

No surprise, the first two seasons were a challenge, with a 3-9 first year followed by a 2-3 second season (stupid COVID). But like when he was at Illinois, the third year was a charm. In 2021, the Terrapins finished 7-6, including a win in the Pinstripe Bowl. That was followed by three more winning seasons, including eight victories each in '22 and '23.

But Maryland slipped in 2024, finishing 4-8. of the losses were lopsided. Because he built all that good will during a successful four-year run, Locksley's tenure is not in doubt. Though it might be a good idea to get back to a bowl in '25.

Maryland's nonconferene schedule, which I rank as the 16th most difficult in the Big Ten, gives the Terrapins a great chance to return to the postseason.

All three games are at SECU Stadium. The Terrapins open against Florida Atlantic, which finished 3-9 last season.

The second game is against Northern Illinois, which had a terrific season in 2024, including a win at Notre Dame. But the Huskies are rebuilding. Former starting quarterback Ethan Hampton is now competing to be the backup at Illinois.

Maryland closes with a game against Locksley's alma mater Towson, which finished 7-5 last season in the FCS.

The conference schedule is kind too. No Ohio State, Oregon or Penn State, who could all enter the season ranked in the Top 5.

Bob Asmussen is a college football reporter and columnist for The News-Gazette. He can be reached at 217-393-8248 or .