For the first time in a decade, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are 4-0 after a dominating 31-13 victory in their Big Ten opener against Michigan State. Head coach Matt Rhule will now shift his focus towards the struggling 2-2 Maryland Terrapins.
To say it's been a struggle for head coach Mike Locksley and his Terrapins would be an understatement.
The Terrapins running back room is depleted with injuries to at least four different backs, causing the Terrapins to bring in inexperienced players to fill the void, including a former Maryland baseball player Liam Wilson, who transitioned to football this past offseason.
Offensively, the Terrapins have left a lot off the table after starting the season 2-0. Against the Virginia Tech Hokies, the Terrapins needed a late comeback to make the 35-26 loss look respectable.
Sophomore quarterback Malik Washington played excellent against the Hokies, completing 30 of his 44 pass attempts for 359 yards and three touchdowns, but struggled immensely the following week against the UCLA Bruins, the whole team did.
The Bruins came in and completely shot down any sort of momentum that was still surrounding the Terps, walking out of Maryland with a 54-3 win, while completely shutting down Washington and the offense. Washington completed just 18 of his 38 pass attempts and threw four interceptions.
For the Huskers, this surely looks like a game that should be in their control from start to finish, but with a major and potential top 25 matchup at home next week against the #6 ranked Indiana Hoosiers, you can’t overlook this weekend, and I think the Huskers have shown that they’re more than prepared for anyone on their schedule.
We saw a complete breakout from the Blackshirts defense last Saturday. Six sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery while completely shutting down the Spartans rushing attack, holding them to 39 yards.
We didn’t get to truly see the Spartans at full health, most importantly with the injury to running back Cam Edwards, but regardless the blackshirts were a force to be reckoned with on the line of scrimmage all game.
Offensively, I think we saw the Huskers realize that they outmatched the Spartans in just about every matchup across the field, a big factor into why they ran the ball 41 times, it’s their identity.
Key #1: Run the ball:
The Terrapins have been solid against the run this season (118.5 yds) ranking 52nd in the FBS, but this offense's identity is very clear, dominate the line of scrimmage and run the football.
The Huskers average 236.5 rushing yards per game (18th in FBS) while running the ball 40.5 times per game, but will most likely be without true freshman running back Jamal Rule as he deals with a knee injury.
Despite the injury to Rule, this running back room has looked solid with Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee, now you can add Vince Genatone to that mix with quarterback Anthony Colandrea being able to run the ball as well.
Through four games, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen and this offense have looked really good and seemed to have found a groove. I expect the Huskers to run the ball close to 40 times this weekend.
Key #2: The Blackshirts:
Defensive coordinator Rob Aurich has completely flipped this blackshirt defense around from last season, it truly has been a match made in heaven between the two.
The Huskers allow just 233.5 yards (5th in FBS) per game defensively while allowing 12 points per game (10th in FBS) this defense is immensely talented all over the field.
Whether it’s breakout defensive tackle Jahsear Whittington disrupting the line of scrimmage, one of the Huskers talented linebackers coming in on a blitz, or the solid defensive back duo of Andrew Marshall and Donovan Jones making plays in pass coverage, this defense is playing well and connected with each other.
Terrapins quarterback Malik Washington does provide a big test for the Huskers despite the struggles he’s had lately.
Washington has thrown for 1,029 yards this season (29th in FBS) and torched the Huskers last season for 249 yards and a touchdown while adding 31 yards on the ground and the Terrapins offense ranks 44th in the FBS in total offense.
Terrapin running backs DeJuan Williams and Iverson Howard are both listed as questionable this weekend.
Key #3: Redzone Offense:
If there is one glaring statistic for this Maryland defense, it is their inability to stop offenses from scoring when they reach the redzone. Luckily, the Huskers have done a solid job finishing drives in the redzone this season.
The Terrapins allow opponents to score in the redzone 87.5% of their trips (83rd in FBS), while the Huskers score on 94.1% of the time in the redzone (28th in FBS) with a touchdown rate of 82.4%.
Prediction:
I don’t think the Huskers are looking ahead of this Maryland team this weekend, they know what’s at stake and they know what is to come during this tough month of October.
I think we see another dominating Husker performance from start to finish, with the offense controlling the ball for a major portion of this football game.
There will be opportunities for the Terrapins early, but I’m confident in the Huskers ability to make the proper adjustments to whatever gets thrown at them, this is a really good Nebraska football team with a lot to prove.
Nebraska: 35 Maryland: 16
