Game Day Guide: What you need to know for Nebraska-Maryland
Game Day Guide: What you need to know for Nebraska-Maryland
Both Nebraska and Maryland are one game from bowl eligibility. Who will hit the mark on Saturday?
It’s game day and Pay-Per-View is back.
Just kidding. Kind of.
Nebraska (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) faces Maryland (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten) on Saturday, and the game will be broadcast only on Peacock. You ready for it? If not, don’t worry because we have all the information on ways to watch below.
Before we get there, let’s talk about the elephant1 in the room: bowl eligibility.
Both Nebraska and Maryland are one game from bowl eligibility. Who will hit the mark on Saturday? Well, the Terrapins are the current favorite but that likely doesn’t mean much in the end. It really could be anyone’s game.
Nebraska comes into the matchup following a 20-17 loss to Michigan State. Prior to that, the Huskers had been on a three-win streak (which was a first since 2016). On the Maryland side of things, the Terps have lost four straight. That includes a 51-15 loss to Penn State last Saturday.
That doesn’t tell the full story of Maryland though. The Terps’ have an explosive offense, ranking third in the Big Ten in total offense at nearly 400 yards per game. Maryland is also second in the conference in passing offense at 280.8 yards per game. On the defensive side of things, Maryland is allowing just 114.7 rushing yards per game.
Nebraska’s strength remains its defense, boasting the second-most sacks in the Big Ten with 28. The Huskers also have the second-best rushing defense in the conference at 77.2 yards per game.
Where Nebraska struggles is in its passing game and with turnovers. Knowing Maryland’s strength at stopping the run, that makes things particularly interesting. How will head coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield scheme around it?
We’ll know soon enough.
Also, if you’re a paid subscriber, keep an eye out for our weekly game day chat. It’ll go live (and an email will be sent) pre-game.
Nebraska versus Maryland: Everything you need to know for game day
TV Channel: Peacock (Paul Burmeister, Kyle Rudolph)
Date: Saturday, November 11
Time: 11 a.m. CT
How to Watch: Nebraska fans can watch the Huskers’ matchup with the Terrapins exclusively on Peacock (NBC's streaming service).
Special subscription offers are available at discounted rates for select audiences:
Student Subscription Information: $1.99/mo. for 12 months
Alumni, Fan & Parents Offer: $39.99/year (annual offer, not monthly)
Regular Public Offer: $5.99/month or $9.99/month (automatically renews)
Radio: Nebraska fans can listen to the game on the Huskers Radio Network. Internet radio, as well as a Spanish broadcast, will be available at Huskers.com.
Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
Weather: Cloudy early with partial sunshine expected late. High of 61 degrees. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
Line: Maryland -2
Over/Under: 43.5
Notable quotes
Head coach Matt Rhule on the quarterback depth chart:
“We give Jeff (Sims) reps at the ones at times. He gets to rotate in. We aren’t like your traditional practice. We get more guys reps. They were times last week early in the week that Chubba (Purdy) took some reps with the ones. Here and there but not as much. He gets more two reps and some three reps. Jeff does get reps with the ones obviously as does Heinrich (Haarberg).”
Maryland head coach Mike Locksley on the Terrapins’ slump:
“I challenge each person, like I said, to look within themselves first and foremost, and ask the question, ‘What can I do better?’ And for me as the head coach and for me as the leader, that's always where I start. That's always who I am in terms of how I lead is, ‘What can I do first and foremost to get us back on track?’ And we're not as far away as maybe some people may think. Again, the people in that building continue to show up each week. We had another good practice on Monday. But as I told our guys, it's not about having just good practices. It's about being able to execute on game day the things that we have all week long.”
Other games we’re watching
(All games in CT)
Erin
Morning - Texas Tech at. No. 16 Kansas, 11 a.m., FS1
I am here for this version of Kansas football and I am firmly on the Jayhawk bandwagon at this point. Depending on when you’re reading this, the line has hovered around Kansas as the 3.5 to 4.5-point favorite. Texas Tech brings some questions to this matchup — the Red Raiders’ run game ain’t bad — but Kansas likely has this one. Rock Chalk!
Afternoon - No. 13 Tennessee at No. 14 Missouri, 2:30 p.m., CBS
Tennessee and Missouri are currently tied for the No. 2 spot in the SEC East at 7-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play. Feels like this one is going to be a battle in the trenches, so we’ll see who can hold off the other. Should be a fun one.
Evening - USC at No. 6 Oregon, 9:30 p.m., FOX
Oregon is a 15.5-point favorite in this matchup, which is wild. Not wild because it’s not deserved, but it’s just wild to see those kinds of lines at this point in the season. I wouldn’t have expected USC to be on the other end of a line like that too, but the Trojans just fired their defensive coordinator so things are in flux. It feels safe to call this one for Oregon, but I always keep an eye on PAC-12 after dark.
Brandon
Morning - No. 3 Michigan at No. 10 Penn State, 11 a.m., FOX
I kinda can’t believe this game is at 11 a.m., but that’s what you get, I guess, when Penn State says nay to night games in November (which seems like it would very much be in the Nittany Lions’ favor in this one). Still, it’s the biggest game of the day. Michigan brings its sign-stealing baggage to this one, Penn State its “James Franklin is stuck at this stage” trunk. It’s definitely worthy of a second screen as Maryland-Nebraska unfolds.
Afternoon - Texas State at Coastal Carolina, 2:30 p.m., ESPN+
There are plenty of Big Ten West games worth keeping an eye on in this slot, particularly if Nebraska beats Maryland to take another step towards a division title, but I’ll probably start my afternoon in the Sun Belt. Texas State is a well-known success story this season after becoming bowl eligible last week, but one-time Husker assistant Tim Beck is putting together a nice season with the Chanticleers. After starting 2-3, Coastal beat Appalachian State in Boone for the first time in school history, the start of a four-game winning streak.
Evening - No. 9 Mississippi at No. 2 Georgia, 6 p.m., ESPN
Lane Kiffin has had a nice second (or third, or fourth) act as college football’s kind troll. He doesn’t take things too seriously, which is about as opposite as one can be from Kirby Smart’s Georgia. Can the Rebels’ “whatever, man, we’re not supposed to win” approach actually help them push the Bulldogs? I’m doubtful, but I’m also dying to find out.
Maybe this should be the “Husker” or the “Terrapin” in the room.