Follow along as The Daily Nebraskan’s sports senior staff makes their predictions for every Nebraska football game this fall.
A rolling tally will be kept throughout 2025, with the best record crowned at the end of the season.
Anthony Rubek, senior sports editor: Nebraska 27, Maryland 24
Nebraska’s offense will have its hands full against a Maryland defense that leads the Big Ten in sacks and interceptions. However, the Huskers are now well-prepared for the matchup.
After going down 12 times in the past two games, sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola will be getting the ball out early and often. Fortunately for him, junior running back Emmett Johnson has proven to be a valuable asset in the receiving game, as well as on the ground.
The Blackshirt defense should have another great day facing the Terrapins’ one-dimensional offense. Maryland is dead last in the conference with 93.20 rushing yards per game. Freshman quarterback Malik Washington is also not a runner, another favorable matchup for the Huskers.
Nebraska’s first true road test of the season will be a challenge, especially against a 4-1 team. However, I expect the Huskers’ talent to come out on top. While they will have their struggles pulling away, sophomore kicker Kyle Cunanan proves to be the difference with a game-winning field goal.
Ben Beecham, assistant sports editor: Nebraska 21, Maryland 13
I think Nebraska will have a bit of trouble handling Maryland, but the Huskers will leave College Park with a win.
The X-factor to this match is seeing how Nebraska handles the Terrapins’ front-seven. This is the Huskers’ offensive line’s biggest opportunity that it can survive in the Big Ten. Maryland has strong edge rushers, and Elijah Pritchett and Gunnar Gottula have to prove it.
However, I have faith in the Nebraska defense. The Huskers have been solid, and the front-seven has shown a bit of improvement. I think Nebraska is just the most talented team.
Alex Berry, assistant sports editor: Nebraska 28, Maryland 21
Maryland was left with a sour taste in its mouth after allowing Washington to score 24 unanswered points and ultimately secure a comeback win last week. The Terrapins are hungry for a bounce-back win.
Mike Locksley’s squad features arguably the Big Ten’s best front seven, having acquired 19 sacks through five games. On the flip side, the offensive line has only given up a single sack all season. Granted, Maryland has faced two average Big Ten teams along with lesser out-of-conference opponents, but the Terps know how to dominate in the trenches.
Maryland will rely on its freshmen: Malik Washington, Sidney Stewart and Dejuan Williams for a big game. However, the Terps are ranked among the worst in the conference in penalties, averaging 6.8 a game.
If Nebraska’s offensive line can limit the pressure to Raiola, the Huskers should have just enough in them to come away with a win. The offense will need to fire on all aspects, and the secondary will need to continue to shine.
My hot take: Nyziah Hunter and Jacory Barney Jr. each find the end zone with 75+ yards.
Bobby Schneider, senior sports reporter: Nebraska 31, Maryland 27
Maryland has to like how its defense matches up against Nebraska. The Terrapins shut down opponents, allowing under 100 rushing yards per game. However, Maryland is most impressive at getting after opposing quarterbacks (Big Ten-leading 19 sacks).
For a Husker offense that’s given up 12 sacks in its first two conference games, this draws my largest concern. Meanwhile, the Terrapins also have quite the true freshman QB, Malik Washington. He has over 1,200 yards passing and a 9-to-2 TD-to-INT ratio. In addition, he has three wideouts with over 200 receiving yards, along with a tight end (Dorian Fleming) who is just under 200. The No. 1-ranked passing yards allowed per game secondary might face its toughest aerial threat yet.
On the other hand, Maryland struggles to run the football. I believe the Blackshirts will shut down Washington, just as they did to Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby.
I think your keys to the game are to get tailback Emmett Johnson going on the ground early, have quarterback Dylan Raiola make quick checks to avoid the Terrapin pass rush and tell edge-rusher Williams Nwaneri to live in Maryland’s backfield. I’m calling for 140+ all-purpose yards from Johnson, and 1.5+ tackles for loss from Nwaneri.
Standings
1. Alex Berry 5-0 (+/- 58)
2. Ben Beecham 5-0 (+/- 69)
3. Anthony Rubek 5-0 (+/- 97)
4. Bobby Schneider 4-1 (+/- 71)