Cole Stukenholtz: Nebraska Ready to Pass Six-Win Test

One more correct answer for Matt Rhule and his Huskers to make the grade

Cole Stukenholtz

Imagine Husker volleyball just took a 24-20 lead in the fourth set. They were unable to sweep this opponent, but they are up two sets to one with four match points in front of them. In order to clinch their goal of winning the match, they don’t need to win four points in a row, they merely need to win one of the next four points. It’s simple math.

That’s the scenario that faced Nebraska football in the Huskers' trip up to East Lansing last weekend. With a 5-3 record and four games remaining, it takes only one victory to clinch it. One more win for bowl eligibility. A chance to achieve what is now SEVEN YEARS in the making. Postseason.

Last Saturday, they couldn’t quite close the deal. This Saturday, they get another chance.

Can they do it?

Sure they can. Maryland is 5-4, just like the Huskers. The Terps started hot, winning each of their first five games by at least 18 points. Since then, along with blowout losses to Ohio State and Penn State, they have fallen to both Illinois and Northwestern, a pair of teams Nebraska has defeated. Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is talented but inconsistent.

First of all, NU can pick up the win by following the same basic formula by which they built a three-game winning streak:

Play above-average defense + minimize early giveaways + hit halftime with a lead + explosive-play touchdown = W

The outcome of a college football game certainly isn’t a straight line, but that’s the equation the Huskers solved to put themselves in position for this November of opportunity.

Behind Enemy Lines: Maryland Edition

The margin is thin, though. Bend a bit too much on defense and you leave yourself susceptible to facing second-half deficits. Winning with a second-half comeback is a problem NU has yet to solve this season. The easy answer is to simply not get behind.

If the Blackshirts can bounce back from a lackluster performance, it will likely stem from defending the pass. Michigan State was not expected to create big plays through the air, but that’s exactly what the Spartans did to Nebraska’s secondary, including six gains of at least 15 yards, two of which were more than 40 yards.

Tagovailoa will test the back end of the defense. The Husker front needs to pressure him and help out the defensive backs.

Speaking of help, everyone knows the offense could do a bit more than simple addition and subtraction. Can they figure out a little algebra? Run game has been effective, but it goes farther if it’s salt-the-game-away runs in the third and fouth quarters. And turnovers? You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see the giveaways have outnumbered the takeaways almost every game this season. If Nebraska could at least draw even on turnovers, that could sway the result in the Huskers' favor.

I do expect Maryland to pick up a few explosive gains through the air. The sheer volume of pass attempts, depth concerns, or penalties will likely bite them more than once. Look for Nebraska’s front to even the score, matching their sack output of the last two games combined with four sacks.

As for the offense, quarterback Heinrich Haarberg will have his moments. His tough running is a given, but then it comes down to whether he can hang on to the ball. He’ll have opportunities to hit open receivers, and his accuracy or lack thereof will make or break a few possessions. Let’s see if the Terps are ready to cover Belly G Option Pass, too.

When you add it all up, Nebraska’s long wait may finally be over. There would still be more to play for in the regular season’s final two weeks, but checking off a sixth win would ensure the team makes the passing grade.

Study time is over. Test time is 11 a.m. They’ll have 3½ hours. Then?

Pencils down.