For Maryland’s upcoming game against Nebraska, we wanted to get the lowdown on everything you need to know about the Cornhuskers. So we found an expert: Brett Nierengarten of The Daily Nebraskan.
What was the fanbase’s of opinion of Mike Riley when he was hired to replace Bo Pelini and how has changed between then now?
I think initially most of the fanbase was willing to give Riley a chance but some of that support dwindled as time went on. It’s hard to keep fans upbeat when you a fire a guy who was good for nine or 10 wins every year and his successor goes 6-7. However, I think at this point in time most people are brought into Riley as the coach moving forward.
Nebraska’s had a three game stretch of back-to-back losses and a close home win to Minnesota. What issues have arisen in these past three games?
I really don’t think there’s been any particular issues that have come up in that stretch.
Against Wisconsin, Nebraska took a great team to overtime and against Minnesota, Nebraska beat a good team at home. However, against Ohio State everything just went wrong, it was combination of a lot of factors, Nebraska lost its starting quarterback in the second quarter, the offensive game plan wasn’t very good and neither was the defensive game plan.
On top of that, Ohio State was just more talented than Nebraska, but I don’t think it’s been any kind of terrible three-game stretch.
Maryland has gotten blown out by Michigan and Ohio State the past two weeks. How much of a step down in quality is there between OSU/Michigan and Nebraska?
Obviously a big step down when you just look at the box score against Ohio State, but I don’t think that can be confused with not being a good team, Ohio State and Michigan are just great. Still, Nebraska is the fifth best team in the conference, which says something in this tough Big Ten.
What’s one thing you want Maryland fans to know about Tommy Armstrong Jr?
He is the toughest player and best leader I have ever seen on a football field. I don’t think there’s a player in college football I have more respect than Tommy Armstrong. He took a ton of unfair criticism in the early part of his career, but he has proven he’s a warrior who can will a team to victory.
Maryland’s offense is massively dependent on running the ball to successful. Will they have success on the ground against the Cornhuskers?
No. Especially without Lorenzo Harrison, I expect Maryland to struggle. Nebraska only gives up 141 yards per game on the ground and just held Minnesota to 18 yards rushing in the second half and didn’t a lot a point after halftime Saturday.
Minnesota’s offense and Maryland’s are pretty much the exact same statistically and the Nebraska defense comes in with more momentum than Maryland’s offense Saturday.
What do you think it would take for Maryland to beat Nebraska on Saturday?
Maryland has to stop the run. With Armstrong likely out, Nebraska will lean heavily on the ground game to avoid putting backup quarterback Ryker Fyfe in third-and-long situations. When those situations come about, Maryland has to force Fyfe into mistakes. If the Terps can’t get Nebraska’s backup to turn it over at all, there’s no chance they win this game .
