COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Nebraska and Maryland began the season with a ton of promise but each program has experienced a precipitous fall that will likely leave both on the outside looking in come bowl season. The Cornhuskers try to keep their postseason hopes alive for one more week when they visit Maryland for the first time ever on Saturday.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Nebraska -4
Considered the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten West, Nebraska began the season ranked 24th in the Associated Press poll and appeared to be a lock to become bowl-eligible for the first time in three years after starting 4-2. Injuries to Adrian Martinez and Wan'Dale Robinson as well as the indefinite suspension of Maurice Washington are among the reasons the Cornhuskers find themselves in the midst of a four-game skid after losing at home to No. 14 Wisconsin last weekend. The Terrapins rolled out to a 2-0 start after pummeling Howard 79-0 and then-No. 22 Syracuse 63-20, but first-year coach Mike Locksley's charges have only mounted one win since (48-7 at Rutgers), losing by an average of 37.2 points in their other six conference games. Maryland has dropped five straight and entered its bye last weekend after getting routed by three of the six ranked teams in the Big Ten, including 73-14 at No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 9.
ABOUT NEBRASKA (4-6, 2-5 Big Ten)
Even with all-purpose dynamo Robinson sidelined due to an undisclosed injury, the Cornhuskers managed to gouge the Badgers for 493 total yards - the most allowed by Wisconsin this season. Junior running back Dedrick Mills had his best game since signing with Nebraska, rushing for a career-high 188 yards against a defense allowing an average of 84, and he added a touchdown on a season-high 17 carries. Junior receiver JD Spielman needs 11 more receptions and 40 more receiving yards in order to become the first player in school history with three 50-catch or 800-yard seasons as a Cornhusker; no other player in school history has done either more than twice.
ABOUT MARYLAND (3-7, 1-6)
Special teams may be a focus after Ohio State recovered an onside kick after taking a 14-0 lead, one week after Michigan gashed the Terrapins on a fake punt in a similar situation. Junior running back Javon Leake ran for a team-high 55 yards against the Buckeyes and added 164 yards on kick returns to amass 210 all-purpose yards for the day, increasing his season average to 145 all-purpose yards - good for second in Big Ten and seventh nationally. Josh Jackson was pulled in favor of Tyrrell Pigrome in the second quarter before returning in the third quarter and throwing for a touchdown; since passing for seven scores in his first two games, Jackson has four over his last six.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Nebraska produced 12 plays of at least 20 yards against Wisconsin, which had allowed 25 plays of 20 yards or more in its first nine games combined.
2. Leake is tied with Torrey Smith for the most kick return scores in school history (three).
3. The Cornhuskers are 1-8 on the road under second-year coach Scott Frost.
PREDICTION: Nebraska 34, Maryland 24