The Nebraska football team travels to College Park, Maryland, this Saturday for its first true road test. The Huskers traveled out on Thursday afternoon, instead of their previous norm of traveling on Friday for road games. There's a slight chance of rain for the game, which starts at 2:30 pm and will be televised on BTN.. Here are 3 keys that will determine the Huskers' fate against the Terrapins!
Nebraska needs to bring their own energy
With the exception of Arrowhead Stadium to open the season, Nebraska has played every single game at the home confines of Memorial Stadium. Some would say that the game at Arrowhead was an even bigger home-field advantage. And with that, energy comes in bunches for the players. With every single positive play that is made, and even some pick-me-up when things aren't going so good. But that all changes come Saturday.
Nebraska's players will need to bring their own energy with them when adversity hits against Maryland, because adversity will definitely happen. Coach Rhule, on Thursday said, "You have to create your own energy, it has to come from brotherhood and caring about each other, and the love of watching your teammate make a play, you know, and cheering each other on. So that juice has to come from us."
Nebraska's offense needs to be 'offensive' to Maryland
Maryland comes into this weeks game against Nebraska at 4-1 overall, 1-1 in Big Ten play. Their lone loss came last week at the hands of the Washington Huskies, 24-20. However, that was a game that Maryland players and coaches would say, "we let one slip away." The Terrapins were up 20-0 late into the 3rd quarter. Washington scored 24 points in the last 19 minutes of the game to get the win.
Nebraska needs to come out and do exactly what Washington did, except from the start of the game, not later. Quarterback Dylan Raiola has played about as well as you could expect a true Sophomore to play. He has completed 74% of his passes and thrown for 12 touchdowns with only 2 interceptions. Raiola has to keep spreading the ball around to his playmakers, Jacory Barney, Nyziah Hunter, Dane Key, and Luke Lindenmeyer.
The best way for Nebraska to take Maryland's will, will be by getting up on them early, and forcing their hand. Emmett Johnson, Nebraska's leading rusher, can also be a catalyst when it comes to breaking Maryland. Emmett is the 3rd leading rusher in the Big Ten, with 474 yards and 7 touchdowns of his own. Nebraska offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen needs to call the right kind of game, so that the players can execute at a high level.
Nebraska's defense needs to carry over what they did against Michigan St.
Last week against Michigan St., Nebraska was bringing the heat to Spartan quarterback Aiden Chiles...ALL DAY! The Blackshirts finished the game with 20 pressures, 4 sacks, and 12 tackles for loss. This week's test is true freshman quarterback Malik Washington, a former 5-star from Glen Burnie, Maryland. He's an extremely physical specimen, standing at 6'5" and weighing 231 pounds. So far, he's passed for 1,257 yards at a 60.1% clip. He can use his legs, but he hasn't chosen to do much of that so far this year.
Nebraska's defense needs to be in his face from the get-go. Guys like Dasan McCullough, Williams Nwaneri, and DeShon Singleton need to keep stepping up and making the plays necessary for the Huskers to succeed. I believe if we keep the pressure on Washington, eventually he will crack, and the floodgates could open up.
This week's game will reveal a lot about where the 2025 version of Nebraska football stands. If we can see the team come out and play to their standard, keep Maryland off balance on offense, then I believe that Nebraska will run away with this one in the 4th. My prediction is Nebraska 34, Maryland 20!