3 bold predictions for Nebraska football against Maryland

After the first road game of the season, Nebraska football returns home for the next two, starting with the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday.

Maryland is 2-2 on the season. However, the past two games have been ugly. Virginia Tech had a 35-14 win over Maryland before the Terps made the final score look more respectable in a 35-26 loss.

The wheels fell off last week against UCLA. The Bruins ran for 266 yards. The final score was 54-3. When you get beat at home like that, it’s hard to justify being the head coach much longer.

That’s where Mike Locksley is right now. He needs wins, badly. Upsetting 4-0 Nebraska football would buy him some goodwill. Some much-needed goodwill.

Maryland is a 14-point underdog. Nebraska isn’t 4-0 by accident. The Huskers have a top-20 offense and a top-20 defense, as well as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the Big Ten.

Indiana is coming to Lincoln next week. The Huskers are one win from 5-0, and here are three bold predictions for Nebraska vs. Maryland.

Anthony Colandrea accounts for 300 total yards and zero turnovers

Anthony Colandrea had 278 total yards last week, along with two touchdowns. He didn’t turn the ball over, and the whole thing felt remarkably ho-hum.

Trust me, it’s not. Colandrea has one interception this season. He’s accounting for 261 total yards per game and completing 65 percent of his passes with an average of 8.7 yards per attempt.

Those are elite numbers. When you consider that Colandrea didn’t finish all of the non-conference games, his numbers could be even better. It’s hard to be more efficient. That effort will continue against Maryland with 300 total yards and zero turnovers. He will have three total touchdowns, too.

Mekhi Nelson or Isaiah Mozee runs for 100 yards

Frankly, it might not matter. Maryland will play harder than it did last week, at least you would think so after a 51-point loss, but that try-hard stuff only lasts for so long.

Nebraska’s offensive line is tough, mean, and imposing. The Huskers are rushing for 236 yards per game and 5.8 yards per carry.

Maryland is allowing just 3.5 yards per carry for the season. Yet, the Bruins rushed for 266. Virginia Tech was over 140, and the Nebraska football offensive line will wear down Maryland on Saturday.

Whether it’s Nelson, if he’s able to play, or Mozee, one of them will break a long run and get over 100 yards against a team that feels like it’s on the brink of giving up.

Blackshirts score a touchdown

Malik Washington is a talented quarterback. He’s got a bright future. However, Maryland doesn’t have a ton of offensive talent outside of Chris Durr. Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding also averages over 14 yards per reception. Kalbe Webb and Dorian Fleming are others.

They put up numbers, yet they feel empty. Washington will make some stellar throws. Maryland will score more points than Michigan State. This game will even be competitive.

Yet, Washington has to do too much for this team. Rob Aurich will confuse him. Nebraska will give up multiple touchdowns. The Blackshirts also get multiple interceptions, including a defensive touchdown.

 Score prediction: Nebraska 41, Maryland 17. 

Nebraska is too good in the trenches. Colandrea will be smooth, and the running game will be the biggest difference between the two teams. Defense and running the ball will lead to the win.

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