Maryland vs. Nebraska: Keys to Victory, Score Predictions

Nebraska (4-0, 1-0) will try to get to 5-0 for the first time since 2016 while Maryland (2-2, 0-1) travels to Lincoln.

As kickoff approaches, here are today’s keys to the Husker’s victory over the Terps, plus HuskerOnline’s Week 5 score predictions.

NU enters Saturday’s game as a 14.5-point favorite against the Terps. Today’s homecoming game begins at 3 p.m. CT on FS1.

KEYS TO VICTORY: Maryland vs. Nebraska

KEY 1: Don’t let Malik Washington gain confidence early on

Maryland quarterback Malik Washington is undoubtedly talented. Nebraska can’t let him gain confidence early on. They must make him think of his four-interception day a week ago, when the Terps lost to UCLA 54-3.

KEY 2: Finding Big Plays in the Running Game

Last week at Michigan State, Nebraska’s offense produced just three runs of 10+ yards, and only two from the defensive end position. NU needs to get the big game back on the field today. This is not a guarantee, assuming a freshman Jamal Rule came out.

KEY 3: Play a clean game on special teams

Special teams still haven’t played the “perfect” game you want to see. From penalties to short punts and other issues, it would be nice to see the Huskers put together a clean game against Maryland. Also expect Maryland to come up big after blocking a punt. NU must be ready for this.

KEY 4: Win defensively on the first downs to slow down the tempo

A big part of this game is Nebraska’s defense winning on first downs to keep Maryland from getting into rhythm. After NU’s tempo issues last week, one might expect the Terps to try this today. Additionally, if you can fit them into third and long passes, it allows Rob Aurich to replace “go to the quarterback” in his packages.

KEY 5: Don’t get caught looking to the future

Every Husker fan knows what this game could possibly set up. A win against Maryland will bring college football’s big stage to Lincoln next week. However, NU players don’t have to worry about that. Play your game and remember that any team in the Big Ten can beat you.

The expert takes

Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Publisher

Maryland will hold a few early practices, but in the end, they won’t have an answer for Anthony Colandrea, and Rob Aurich’s defense will cause Malik Washington problems. The Huskers would pull away for a 24-point victory in the fourth quarter.

Nebraska 41, Maryland 17

Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline Columnist

Malik Washington’s four-interception outburst against UCLA was an anomaly. He is capable of keeping the Terps in the game. This might look like Nebraska’s 31-13 win over Michigan State last week, when the Spartans trailed much of the game and had their chances to make the Huskers extremely uncomfortable. Matt Rhule’s crew played a good team game, however. This might be necessary again against Maryland.

Nebraska 34, Maryland 27

Robin Washut – HuskerOnline Senior Editor

In a game that will test Nebraska mentally as much as physically, I expect the Huskers to come out and take care of business against a reeling opponent. However, Maryland won’t be a complete doormat. The Terrapins still have talent, and they’ll keep things interesting before NU finally puts the game away. The Huskers win, but it will take a little more work than some might think.

Nebraska 31, Maryland 20

Andy Kenleigh – KETV ABC-Omaha

Hope is a dangerous thing to give a visiting team, which is why Nebraska needs to start fast on Saturday. Suck the life out of a reeling team, take an early lead and build on it, play clean, smart football, and the Huskers will improve to 5-0 for the first time in 10 years, setting up a huge showdown next Saturday against Indiana.

Nebraska 44, Maryland 20

Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha

The favorable schedule continues for Big Red. But hey, is it Matt Rhule’s fault that MSU is two years away and Maryland may never get there? Colandrea was hit pretty hard last week but is in flower. This week won’t be much of a challenge, but it should boost his confidence heading into IU week. I love how the O-line is gelling, the D-line is improving, and the secondary should have a lot of fun this week against Malik Washington. If UM coach Mike L. goes back to square one with him, “he has to restrict his pre-snap reads,” he could throw four more INTs to Lincoln.

Nebraska 42, Maryland 20

Microphone’I Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up

During Matt Rhule’s career, he has traditionally won outright (36-6) when his teams were favored by 7.5 or more (22-19 ATS). However, the last two losses came at home and in 2024 against Illinois (9.5) and UCLA (7.5). The key is to get an early lead against a team coming off a 54-3 loss and force its problems to snowball. So far, Nebraska hasn’t lost any of its three fumbles, but Maryland is tied for the most opponent fumbles in the Big 10 with 8. Maryland has enough talent to win, but as long as Colandrea protects the ball, the Huskers should be able to pull away.

Nebraska 34, Maryland 14

HuskerOnline Week 5 Predictions

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Sean Callahan can be contacted at (email protected) and is heard daily at 6:45 a.m. and 5:05 p.m. on Big Red Radio 1110 KFAB in Omaha during football season. It can also be seen on KETV Channel 7 in Omaha in the fall, and each week he appears on the Nebraska Public Media show Big red abstract Tuesdays at 7 p.m..

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