Nebraska vs. Maryland: Keys to victory, HuskerOnline score predictions for Saturday

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Nebraka will travel to Maryland on Saturday for its first true road game of the season.

The Huskers (4-1, 1-1) came back to beat Michigan State a week ago 38-27, while the Terps (4-1, 1-1) fell 24-20 to Washington. As things get closer to kickoff, here are today’s keys to victory for Nebraska over Maryland.

NU enters today’s game as a 6.5-point favorite over Maryland. The kickoff for today’s game is set for 2:30 p.m. CT, and it will be broadcast on the BTN.

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KEYS TO VICTORY: Nebraska vs. Maryland

KEY 1: Protect Dylan Raiola and get the ball out

A big key in this game for Nebraska will be how well NU protects quarterback Dylan Raiola. Maryland’s front four has created 63 pressure plays on quarterbacks over five games. They have been a disruptive force, led by true freshmen Sidney Stewart and Zahir Mathis. Also, linebacker Daniel Wingate has been a big-time playmaker.

KEY 2: Create pressure packages to get to Washington

Terp signal caller Malik Washington is one of the best freshman quarterbacks in college football. He’s 6-foot-5, 230 pounds with a big-time arm. Defensive coordinator John Butler must devise various looks and pressure packages to keep Washington off balance.

KEY 3: Offenisve balance

For Nebraska, they have been a 60-40 pass-to-run team in terms of overall ratio. Those numbers probably need to have a better balance at times to combat Maryland’s talented rush.

KEY 4: Create another big play on special teams

We saw just how big special teams can be a week ago. NU has created an advantage for itself in the return game, while also demonstrating the ability to create turnovers on special teams. The Huskers need to find another big play on special teams on Saturday.

KEY 5: “Pack the defense” and don’t come out flat

As Butler said on Tuesday, when you go on the road, you’d better “pack your defense.” The Huskers need to come out fast again this week with their defense and start the game quickly to prevent Washington and this Terp offense from generating any early momentum.

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Expert takes

Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Publisher

This is a great match-up for Nebraska on the road. What Maryland does well, the Huskers match up with on defense. Look for John Butler to create pressure packages to get to QB Malik Washington, and Dana Holgorsen to devise plays that get the Terp pass rush off-balance. NU will head home to Lincoln with a win.

Nebraska 31, Maryland 23

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Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist

It’s hardly ever easy in the Big Ten – thank me, Captain Obvious – and this will be somewhat of a fight to the end. I picture Maryland scoring late to make it look deceivingly closer. Look for Dylan Raiola to respond exceptionally well from a relatively “off” performance against Michigan State and look for Nebraska’s front seven to build off last week’s strong performance.

Nebraska 34, Maryland 28

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Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer

While Maryland’s pass rush presents some concerns, Nebraska is the better team across the board. The pass protection holds up, the running game gets going, and NU’s defense has another big day against the Terps’ freshman quarterback. The Huskers pass their first road test and move to 5-1.

Nebraska 27, Maryland 21

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Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha

This is a game of matchups — Nebraska is a passing team that gives up a bunch of sacks, Maryland has 19 sacks in 5 games—advantage Terps.   Nebraska is the best passing defense in the country, Maryland likes to throw it — advantage Huskers.    Maryland doesn’t run the ball much and the Huskers proved they can stop the run.   Advantage Huskers.  Special teams could decide this one—lean Huskers.

Nebraska 31, Maryland 23

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Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha

First true road game?  Nah.  This is Maryland.  Half the stands will be filled with displaced Huskers forced to live and work around DC.  So this is the Super Bowl to them.   Terps are toxic.  They have exceptional athletes at the skill positions and on D.  But they still haven’t played anybody GREAT.   Their defensive numbers are gaudy but against Towson State and FAU.  No Michigans or even Cincinnatis….

It’ll be a fireworks display.  Last team with the ball wins.  

Nebraska 38, Maryland 35

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Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up

The biggest concern has to be the No. 1-ranked pass rush in the B1G vs an offensive line and QB that have struggled on occasion. I think the Huskers should be able to establish the run game early, and maybe staying on schedule will help. I think the game comes down to whoever wins on 3rd down and Nebraska’s advantages on special teams. 

Nebraska 27, Maryland 21

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HuskerOnline Week 7 Score Predictions

Week 7	Sean Callahan	Steven Sipple	Robin Washut	Andy Kendeigh	Jim Rose	Mike’l Severe
Nebraska at Maryland (+6.5)	31-23 Nebraska	34-28 Nebraska	27-21 Nebraska	31-23 Nebraska	38-35 Nebraska	27-21 Nebraska
Indiana at Oregon (-7.5)	38-34 Oregon	34-21 Oregon	35-31 Oregon	42-27 Oregon	42-21 Oregon	34-23 Oregon
Iowa at Wisconsin (+3.5)	17-16 Wisconsin	17-14 Iowa	12-2 Iowa	13-9 Iowa	24-14 Wisconsin	20-17 Wisconsin
Michigan at USC (-2.5)	34-31 Michigan	31-21 USC	28-24 USC	31-28 Michigan	28-17 USC	30-20 USC
Oklahoma vs. Texas (-1.5)	27-20 Oklahoma	28-14 Oklahoma	23-19 Oklahoma	31-27 Texas	28-24 Oklahoma	27-20 Oklahoma
Alabama at Missouri (+3)	34-27 Alabama	38-27 Missouri	33-31 Alabama	34-28 Alabama	35-28 Alabama	31-21 Alabama

HuskerOnline Score Prediction Standings

Picker	Straight Up	Vs. Spread	Cumulative
Robin Washut	27-9	21-15	48
Jim Rose	22-14	20-16	42
Mike’l Severe	22-14	20-16	42
Steven Sipple	24-12	17-19	41
Sean Callahan	23-13	17-19	40
Andy Kendeigh	21-15	17-19	38

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Sean Callahan can be reached at [email protected] and is heard daily at 6:45 am and 5:05 pm on Big Red Radio 1110 KFAB in Omaha during the football season. He can also be seen on KETV Channel 7 in Omaha during the fall, and each week, he appears on Nebraska Public Media’s Big Red Wrap-Up Tuesdays at 7 pm.

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