Nebraska at Maryland Preview and Prediction
by Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
Nebraska and Maryland are good football teams trying to find their respective ways in the Big Ten world. This is a pivotal game for both with what's coming next.
The Huskers started 4-1 with a tough loss to Michigan along the way, and they have a 50/50 game at Minnesota next, a likely win over Northwestern to follow, and USC, Penn State and Cockeye still to go, all around a suddenly dangerous date at UCLA.
Outside of the date with the Nittany Lions, it's more than manageable -- there's no Ohio State or Oregon -- but there can't be a slip here.
Maryland dropped a tough 24-20 home game against Washington, and the slide needs to stop now.
It has to go out to LA to deal with UCLA after this, and then comes Indiana, with Illinois and Michigan still to go.
There's a real chance the Terps will have to fight to go bowling if they lose this.
Nebraska at Maryland
Saturday, October 11 - 3:30 PM (ET) - Big Ten Network
Why Nebraska Will Win
The Nebraska defense is figuring out how to get off the field.
It might not always be a rock, but the pass defense leads the nation, allowing just 92 yards per game. There's pressure in the backfield, doing a fantastic job of forcing the issue on third downs.
Offensively, Dylan Raiola continues to be as good as any passer in America, hitting 74% of his throws and keeping the mistakes to a minimum.
Maryland's offense is effective, but it's the worst in the Big Ten at converting its third down chances, and it shows in the time of possession battle. But .......
Why Maryland Will Win
......here comes the Maryland pass rush.
Yes, Raiola is careful, but he'll also eat sacks instead of taking a chance to force a big play. That's a good thing overall, but Maryland should win its share of battles by getting to No. 15 often enough to matter.
On the flip side, the Maryland offensive line isn't allowing much of anything in the backfield.
The offense isn't turning the ball over, helped by the lack of pressure, and it's just as careful when it comes to not turning the ball over, with just three giveaways. So.........
Can the Huskers or Terrapins Run the Ball?
Cincinnati, Michigan and Michigan State all stalled the Huskers on the ground. Maryland hasn't been able to run against anyone, struggling against Towson, too.
The Terps won't make the major mistakes like Michigan State did last week against the Huskers, but they also won't be accurate enough to offset the midrange game of Raiola.
These two teams do a lot of the same things, but Nebraska does it a bit better.
Prediction
Nebraska 27, Maryland 21
Spread
Nebraska is favored on the road by 6.5 points
by Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
Nebraska and Maryland are good football teams trying to find their respective ways in the Big Ten world. This is a pivotal game for both with what's coming next.
The Huskers started 4-1 with a tough loss to Michigan along the way, and they have a 50/50 game at Minnesota next, a likely win over Northwestern to follow, and USC, Penn State and Cockeye still to go, all around a suddenly dangerous date at UCLA.
Outside of the date with the Nittany Lions, it's more than manageable -- there's no Ohio State or Oregon -- but there can't be a slip here.
Maryland dropped a tough 24-20 home game against Washington, and the slide needs to stop now.
It has to go out to LA to deal with UCLA after this, and then comes Indiana, with Illinois and Michigan still to go.
There's a real chance the Terps will have to fight to go bowling if they lose this.
Nebraska at Maryland
Saturday, October 11 - 3:30 PM (ET) - Big Ten Network
Why Nebraska Will Win
The Nebraska defense is figuring out how to get off the field.
It might not always be a rock, but the pass defense leads the nation, allowing just 92 yards per game. There's pressure in the backfield, doing a fantastic job of forcing the issue on third downs.
Offensively, Dylan Raiola continues to be as good as any passer in America, hitting 74% of his throws and keeping the mistakes to a minimum.
Maryland's offense is effective, but it's the worst in the Big Ten at converting its third down chances, and it shows in the time of possession battle. But .......
Why Maryland Will Win
......here comes the Maryland pass rush.
Yes, Raiola is careful, but he'll also eat sacks instead of taking a chance to force a big play. That's a good thing overall, but Maryland should win its share of battles by getting to No. 15 often enough to matter.
On the flip side, the Maryland offensive line isn't allowing much of anything in the backfield.
The offense isn't turning the ball over, helped by the lack of pressure, and it's just as careful when it comes to not turning the ball over, with just three giveaways. So.........
Can the Huskers or Terrapins Run the Ball?
Cincinnati, Michigan and Michigan State all stalled the Huskers on the ground. Maryland hasn't been able to run against anyone, struggling against Towson, too.
The Terps won't make the major mistakes like Michigan State did last week against the Huskers, but they also won't be accurate enough to offset the midrange game of Raiola.
These two teams do a lot of the same things, but Nebraska does it a bit better.
Prediction
Nebraska 27, Maryland 21
Spread
Nebraska is favored on the road by 6.5 points