The postseason fate of the Grand Valley State University football team may very well be on the line this weekend in the Anchor-Bone Classic at Ferris State.

A win for GVSU (0-2) gives the Lakers a revived outlook for the 2014 season. However, a Ferris State (2-0) victory not only gives the Bulldogs a three-game edge over GVSU in the GLIAC North, but also puts the Lakers in a potentially devastating 0-3 hole.

Needless to say, the margin of error is slim for GVSU coach Matt Mitchell and his team.

“Our staff has to do a better job coaching and getting our players to understand the sense of urgency and getting them to perform at the level that is the expectation as a program,” Mitchell said. “It doesn’t get much easier obviously on Saturday.”

On Saturday, there will be three keys to success for GVSU:

1. Containing FSU QB Jason Vander Laan

In 2013, FSU outlasted GVSU in a 54-44 shootout at Top Taggart Field. Then-sophomore quarterback Jason Vander Laan (6-4, 241 pounds) stole the show with 210 rushing yards, 118 passing yards and four total touchdowns.

“He’s now heading into his third year running this offense,” Mitchell said. “He’s always been a threat to run the ball. He’s a very good north and south runner, he’s very difficult to bring down…One thing in the first couple of games that we’ve seen an improvement on is his ability to throw the ball, so it puts even more pressure on our defense.”

Vander Laan, who was an All-GLIAC Second Team honoree last year, leads the GLIAC in passing touchdowns (six) this season and is second in completion percentage (71.1 percent). The forward-falling bruiser also has 175 rushing yards on just 24 attempts (7.3 average) and two touchdowns.

He has not turned the ball over yet this season.

2. Committing to the run game

In order to keep Vander Laan off the field, the Lakers will need to manufacture long drives by establishing their rushing attack.

“As a program – from head coach to offensive coordinator on down to O-line, running backs and tight ends – we’re not committed enough to running the ball,” Mitchell said. “Even when things aren’t as rosy and the looks aren’t as clean, we still need to be able to run the ball.”

This will be particularly important if GVSU is without senior quarterback Heath Parling, who took a late hit while trying to mount a last-minute comeback against Ohio Dominican on Saturday. Senior Isiah Grimes played in seven games last season, and he will be the starter if Parling is sidelined with the upper-body injury.

GVSU will need to protect whoever lines up under center, and the best way to do that figures to be reigniting its suddenly lackluster ground game to set up play action and keep the defense honest.

In 2013, the Lakers averaged 187.2 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry. Those figures have dipped to 58.0 and 1.8 through two weeks this season.

“We’re going to find a way to get it done,” said senior running back Michael Ratay. “Hopefully that will help our offense put more points up and put more pressure on the defense. We’ve just got to execute better as a whole, as a team.”

3. Limiting big plays defensively

GVSU’s ball-hawking defense played well against ODU, but the Lakers were gashed by three big plays: an 88-yard touchdown run, a 54-yard catch and a 90-yard touchdown reception that proved to be the turning point in the game.

“We have to do a better job as a coaching staff of getting our players to be more consistent snap in and snap out with the understanding that 56 out of 59 snaps is not good enough,” Mitchell said.

Against FSU’s explosive offense, the Lakers will have to stay focused all night. This has been a factor in both losses, as half of the points surrendered by GVSU happened in the fourth quarter or overtime.

“It’s going to be a tough challenge,” said senior Deonte’ Hurst. “We’ve just got to stay focused on the defensive side as a whole unit…paying attention to the little things and just being mentally tough when it comes down to it late in the game.”

The game starts at 7 p.m. in Big Rapids, Mich. For live updates, follow us on Twitter @GVLSports.