The Nebraska-Maryland Game Is Doubly Important

Both teams are playing for bowl eligibility

Nebraska's meeting Saturday with Maryland will be between two Big Ten foes with identical 5-4 records. This could be another game that is lacking in national attention. But both teams desperately need a victory to become bowl eligible.

The question is, which team is more desperate. A case could be made that the Terrapins need a win Saturday more than Nebraska.

Why is that? Maryland began the season on a roll with five consecutive wins: Towson (38-6), Charlotte (38-20), Virginia (44-14), @Michigan State (31-9) and Indiana (44-17).

Since the victory over Indiana, Maryland has lost four straight: Ohio State (17-37), Illinois (24-27), Northwestern (21-33) and last weekend @Penn State (15-57).

After the Nebraska game this Saturday, Maryland plays a home game vs 9-0 Michigan. Maryland ends the season Nov. 25 in a road game with 6-3 Rutgers. Getting a sixth win is not going to be easy for either team.

Nebraska doesn't have to play Michigan (thank goodness), but does have to travel the following week to 5-4 Wisconsin, finishing the season at home against 7-2 Iowa on Nov. 24. Those two games are technically winnable games for NU. But Maryland still has the tougher schedule.

That's why Saturday's matchup will be huge for both teams. Maryland comes into Lincoln as a two point favorite.

How do the two teams stack up coming into the game?

Offense rankings

• Scoring: MU #47, NU #117
• Rush: MU #110, NU #33
• Pass: MU #27, NU #129
• Total: MU #58, NU #121

Defense rankings

• Scoring: MU #53, NU #22
• Rush: MU #28, NU #4
• Pass: MU #74, NU #52
• Total: MU #44, NU #16

Misc. rankings

• Possession time: MU #107, NU #42
• Turnover margin: MU #58, NU #131

It appears Nebraska has the edge in rush defense, pass defense and total defense as well as time of possession. Maryland, on the other hand, has the advantage in scoring offense, pass offense and total offense. Maryland is also a lot better than Nebraska in turnover margin.

However, the biggest advantage for Maryland might be at the QB position. Check these stats: Maryland's Taulia Tagovailoa is completing 65.1% of his passes, throwing for 2,466 yards, 21 TDs and only 7 interceptions. He is not much of a running threat, rushing for only 35 total yards this season with 4 TDs.

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Nebraska's QB over the past seven games has been the Tank Commander, Heinrich Haarberg. He has completed 50% of his passes for 967 yards, 7 TDS and 6 INTs. Haarberg is a much better threat to run the ball, Through seven starts. Heinrich has rushed for 477 yards and 5 TDs.

Can Nebraska finally stop beating itself and concentrate on whipping its opponents? If anyone thinks that is impossible for NU, better think again.

Look what happened last Saturday's Husker game at Michigan State. The Spartans came into the game as one of the worst in the nation (124th) in turnover margin. So how did MSU do? They had zero INTs and zero lost fumbles. If a 2-6 Michigan State team can turn it around in one week, so can Nebraska. Maybe the Huskers get their sixth win Saturday. Wouldn't that be sweet!

How 'Bout Them Huskers

Grandson Will and I review the Michigan State game and offer our takes on this Saturday's matchup with Maryland.

• Related: Maryland-Nebraska game page.