Maryland vs. Nebraska Prediction, CFB Week 5 Odds & Best Bets (10/3)

Fact checked at 9:40 AM ET, Oct 3, 2026

Odds as of Oct 3, 6:00 AM ET

Nebraska is 4-0 (1-0 in the Big Ten), its best start since it won its first seven games in 2016, and it just went to Michigan State and won 31-13 behind six sacks and three takeaways. Maryland is headed the other way. The Terps are 2-2 after two straight home losses: 35-26 to Virginia Tech, then 54-3 to UCLA, a game in which Malik Washington threw four interceptions and two came back for touchdowns. Mike Locksley spent the week fielding questions about his job, and he says the staff will take things off Washington's plate.

The line moved early. Nebraska opened -12.5 on Sunday, Sept. 27, and some books were at -14.5 by that evening. The consensus now is Nebraska -14.5 with a total of 52.5. The Huskers' top two rushers are both on the availability report: Jamal Rule went from doubtful to questionable on Friday, and Mekhi Nelson is questionable. The Big Ten's game-day report, due two hours before kickoff, will settle both.

It's homecoming in Lincoln. Kickoff is 4:00 PM ET at Memorial Stadium on FS1, and the forecast is sunny and about 70 with a light south wind.

Maryland vs. Nebraska Predictions

• Pick #1: Chris Durr Jr. 60+ Receiving Yards (-178)
• Pick #2: Nebraska -14.5 (-110)

PICK #1: Chris Durr Jr. 60+ Receiving Yards (-178)

Nobody in the country has more catches than Chris Durr Jr., and a Maryland team that should be chasing this game will keep throwing his way.

He has 35 receptions in four games, 8.8 a game, and has never caught fewer than six: 6 against Hampton of the FCS, 10 at UConn, 12 against Virginia Tech and 7 against UCLA. The yardage reads 44, 103, 109 and 56. That's two games over 60, and they're the two in which he scored, so against FBS teams he's two for three. Washington has thrown 31, 41, 44 and 38 times. Durr averages 8.9 yards a catch, which means he needs about seven receptions, and a team down two touchdowns gets plenty of chances.

Nebraska's pass defense is the real problem. It allows 143 yards a game, seventh in the country, and Ohio's Riley Neer is the only receiver who has reached 100 against it. Look at what it has faced, though. Ohio, Bowling Green, North Dakota of the FCS and Michigan State threw 32, 16, 19 and 28 times, about 24 a game, compared with Washington's 38.5, and Michigan State was the only Power Four offense in the group.

My worry is the type of catches. Durr's 7 for 56 against UCLA came on a day when 23 of Washington's 38 throws went five yards or shorter, and a simplified passing game probably means more of that. Nebraska also had six sacks last week, and every sack is a snap that can't become a catch. Durr 70+ is -114 for anyone who wants a bigger day at a better price.

That -178 is the price as of 6:33 AM ET. Know that this prop and the Nebraska side want the same game: Maryland behind and throwing. If the Terps stall early, both lose.

PICK #2: Nebraska -14.5 (-110)

I'm laying it because of the pass rush and the way Nebraska has handled its power-conference opponent.

That's one game, but it was convincing. Nebraska went to Michigan State as a 6-point favorite and won 31-13, a 12-point cover. The Spartans ran for 39 yards and gained 257 total, Nebraska sacked them six times, and Anthony Colandrea threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers. Through four games the Huskers have allowed 21 to Ohio, 7 to Bowling Green, 7 to North Dakota of the FCS and 13 to Michigan State. They have 15 sacks: nine in the first three games and six in East Lansing.

Maryland's two power-conference games were both at home, and it was a 2.5-point underdog in each. Virginia Tech piled up 445 yards and won 35-26. UCLA gained 475, ran for 266 and scored 54, with 14 of those points on interception returns. Maryland managed 64 and 39 rushing yards in those games. Washington threw 44 times for 359 yards against Virginia Tech, which gives this pass rush a lot of dropbacks to work with. The Terps' big scores came against Hampton of the FCS (62) and at UConn (38).

Fourteen and a half is still a big number on the strength of one road win, and the UCLA blowout was built on five Maryland turnovers. Maryland may also get DeJuan Williams back. He has missed every game since the opener and is listed as probable. The backfield is my bigger concern. If Rule and Nelson both sit, Nebraska is down to Isaiah Mozee and Vincent Genatone. Rule left the Michigan State game in the first quarter with four carries for 4 yards, and everyone else combined for 153 yards on 37 carries, 4.1 a carry. If both backs are out, pass on the side or wait for a number under two touchdowns. Indiana and Oregon are the next two games on Nebraska's schedule, too.

If you want the points instead, Maryland +14.5 (-110) is there. That's the consensus price as of 6:00 AM ET.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.