So you want to play with fire, scarecrow?

It’s the question Massachusetts football coach Mark Whipple had to have been asking himself when he added powerhouse I-A National Championship contender Kansas State to his non-conference schedule, for they are without a doubt the toughest opponent to ever appear on the Minutemen’s docket.

After all, these Wildcats have only lost one game outside of the ultra-competitive Big XII in the last 10 years, and that was to Pac-10 stalwart USC. They are legitimate threats to become the nation’s top team at some point this season and will surely be out for blood in order to prove their dominant nature against a supposed I-AA weakling.

In addition, they also pasted 1-AA top dog McNeese State 55-14 just last weekend, and will be ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press NCAA Division I poll when they take the field in front of 50,000 plus purple-clad fans this Saturday at KSU Stadium.

So Whipple needs to come up with the game plan that will beat this monster, and he has to convince every single one of his players and staff – the one’s who will put his plan into action and make it happen on the field – that it’ll work, against the best talent they’ve ever shared a field with.

Here are five things the Minutemen must do to have a shot at success on Saturday.

Block out the crowd

The hostile crowd at KSU Stadium will be on UMass’ case from the moment they exit the tunnel, and they will be as loud as this squad will hear all year. The Minutemen benefit from having played at North Carolina State last year, but Whipple will need to keep his players’ heads in the game as much as possible.

Get through the first quarter

This is an explosive K-State squad who is playing for a conference and national title. They’ll look to establish their supremacy early, and the Minutemen need to be ready for it.

The Wildcats are the fastest team UMass will see all season by far, and things will happen in a hurry. The Minuteman can’t be caught standing around watching, and they can’t be overwhelmed. If they can minimize the shell shock and the big plays they give up on defense and not turn the ball over in the opening frame, they’ll be better suited to hang in down the stretch.

No turnovers, no penalties

While early turnovers will definitely spell doom for Whipple’s squad, turnovers in general will ruin even the best-laid plans for victory.

UMass cannot give the ‘Cats’ high powered offense more than its allotted chances to score, and must hold onto the football to keep control of the clock and allow the defense to rest on the sideline. Nor can they give up extra yardage with unnecessary penalties.

4.) Establish the run, stop the run

It’s an old football adage that says the team who runs the ball and stops the run will win the game, and that’s certainly the case here.

K-State tailback Darren Sproles may be one of the smallest backs Tom Masella’s defense encounters this year, but he will be without a doubt the quickest and most talented. Being without Heisman Trophy candidate Ell Roberson will work in the Minutemen’s favor in that backup Jeff Schwinn will be far less potent in running spot option plays, but UMass must keep Sproles from getting outside the tackles and showcasing his speed.

If Masella’s is able to stop the run and force passing downs, the Minutemen will keep K-State from grinding the pace down on offense and wearing the defense down. And if they couple that with getting Steve Baylark and his backfield mates going up field, UMass will control the pace and keep the Wildcat offense on the sideline.

Play to their ability

This is the most important thing Whipple and his staff will preach to their players, as playing scared will most certainly spell imminent doom.

Despite the fact that they’re playing on the biggest stage and best foe they’ve ever encountered, it’s still a football game. Whipple knows he has some very talented football players to work with, but they will not fare well if they aren’t able to avoid being intimidated and don’t play football like they’re capable of. They need to get the jitters out early and perform to the best of their ability to have a shot.

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