3 bold predictions for Nebraska football vs. Maryland

Nebraska football will be on the road for the first time on Saturday against the 4-1 Maryland Terrapins. It’s a pivotal game for the Huskers — for both teams, really.

The winner will be 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten. This is the first of back-to-back road games. Next Friday, Nebraska will play at Minnesota.

It’s a realistic chance to win consecutive road games for the first time in about 20 years. That’s a wild streak, but Nebraska has plenty like that that need to be snapped.

Looking ahead to Maryland, here are three bold predictions for the Huskers, plus a prediction against the spread.

Emmett Johnson rushes for 100 yards

The running back has been stellar this season. Emmett Johnson had 83 yards on 13 carries last week. He’s getting 5.6 yards per attempt. Michigan was the one team to hem him in.

Maryland’s defensive front is good. It’s not that good. Nebraska’s offensive line needs to step up in pass protection and the run game. The Huskers are avearging just 3.8 yards per attempt. However, rushing numbers include sacks, and when you have 12 in two games, the rushing numbers will take a hit.

RB2 is still an issue. The Huskers didn’t reveal anything against Michigan State. So Johnson just needs to get the ball. This feels like a 20-carry game. Maryland only allows 2.6 yards per attempt.

It will be a challenge. The offensive line will play well, and Johnson will prove he’s one of the Big Ten’s best running backs.

Malik Washington will be held to a season low for passing yards

This is a great matchup for Nebraska. Malik Washington, the true freshman quarterback, leads the Big Ten in pass attempts. Maryland only averages 3.3 yards per attempt.

Mike Locksley said they should be able to run the ball this week. He praised Maryland’s talent, but I don’t see the Terps having much success. Nebraska stunts a lot. That’s part of the 3-3-5. It can cause chaos for the offensive line, but it also leads to big plays in the running game.

That was fixed last week. Washington also isn’t the same threat as a runner as Aidan Chiles or Bryce Underwood. If the run defense holds up, John Butler can get in his bag.

Washington hasn’t been great against pressure. He’s also been sacked just twice this season. Nebraska’s secondary is allowing just 94 passing yards per game. Quarterbacks are completing just 50 percent of their passes. Underwood threw for 215 in a half against Wisconsin but just 105 against the Huskers.

Chiles threw for under 100 yards. So did Brendan Sorsby, even though he’s averaged 295 yards per game since. Nebraska has played well against more talented quarterbacks than Washington, and the Blackshirts will hold him to a season low (under 219) in passing yards.

Nebraska scores a return touchdown

The Huskers’ special teams have been transformed by Mike Ekeler. The unit is elite. Nebraska blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown, then had a punt return touchdown called back due to a hold against Michigan State.

Barney has been elite this season as a punt returner. The Terps ranked outside the top 100 teams in college football in punt return defense. Maryland is also 14th in the Big Ten in kickoff return defense.

Ekeler, Barney, and the Huskers will take advantage with a punt or kickoff returned for a touchdown.

Nebraska vs. Maryland prediction against the spread

Dylan Raiola will have a solid game, similar to Cincinnati. The offense will control the clock, the defense will make Malik Washington look like a freshman, and the special teams will make a huge impact, again.

Nebraska 27, Maryland 17. 

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