Before Nebraska even kicked off its 2026 season, the expectation was clear: get to 5-0. Matt Rhule called this his best team during the offseason, and with the way the schedule sets up, anything short of an undefeated start would have felt like a miss.
That brings Nebraska to Saturday’s matchup with Maryland, the last hurdle before a showdown with Indiana. The Terrapins come in after a brutal 56-3 home loss to UCLA, and the numbers point to a game the Huskers should like on paper.
Nebraska is a 13.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 52.5. Maryland sits at +480 on the moneyline, while Nebraska is listed at -690.
Kickoff is set for 3 PM CST, and the game will air on Fox Sports 1 for the third time this season. Fans can also listen for free at Huskers.com, with FuboTV and the Fox Sports APP listed as other viewing options.
The matchup that jumps out most is Maryland’s run defense. On the season, the Terps have allowed just 3.5 yards per carry and 115 rushing yards per game, but those numbers look a lot different against Power-4 competition.
In those games, Maryland has given up 198 rushing yards per game and 5.2 yards per attempt. UCLA piled up 266 rushing yards last week alone.
That could be a problem against a Nebraska ground game that has been rolling. The Huskers are averaging 236 rushing yards per game and 5.8 yards per carry, which makes this look like a favorable spot even if Jamal Rule is unavailable.
The other big question is which version of Maryland quarterback Malik Washington shows up. He had avoided turnovers through the first three games, but last week against UCLA he threw four interceptions. He’s still putting up production, averaging 258 yards per game, so he remains the kind of player who can swing a game either way.
Washington’s ceiling is obvious, but so is the volatility. He could be excellent, he could be rough, or he could be both in the same afternoon, just like he was last season against Nebraska. Chris Durr, his top target, leads college football with 35 catches.
Maryland’s offense also leans heavily on the passing game because the run game hasn’t been doing much. In its two Power-4 games, the Terrapins have managed only 103 rushing yards per game and 2.01 yards per attempt. Sacks are included in those totals, but the bottom line is that no Maryland player has run for more than 34 yards in either of the last two games.
If that ground struggle continues on Saturday, Rob Aurich and the Blackshirts should have plenty of chances to control the game.
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For Nebraska, the excitement comes with a catch, because Rules recent injury against Michigan State has left his availability uncertain at the exact moment his role was starting to expand. Coaches and analysts have been impressed by how quickly he adapted after arriving as a lower-ranked recruit, but the bigger question now is whether the Cornhuskers can keep building around a back who has already changed the look of their offense, if only they can get him back on the field. [Read more 🡒]
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Ty Robinson showed up in Philadelphia with tackles for the Eagles, while Emmett Johnson was part of Kansas Citys win, giving Nebraska supporters a couple of names to follow beyond just box-score watching. The broader list of former Huskers on practice squads also keeps the pipeline visible, even if the biggest questions now are which of them can keep turning those Sunday opportunities into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Tree Babalade Is Forcing A Nebraska Lineup Decision Up Front
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Holgorsen also pointed to Elijah Pritchett turning in his best game, and the next step may be figuring out how to fit Babalade, Pritchett and Gunnar into the rotation together. There is still some sorting to do, and the same goes for quarterback Anthony Colandrea, whose quick decision-making and mobility could give Nebraska another layer if the staff finds the right way to use him. [Read more 🡒]