Four keys and a pick preview: No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 2 Ohio State

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — At long last, "The Game" has arrived again.

Both the Michigan and Ohio State football teams have spent almost a year preparing, scouting, training and building toward their annual rivalry matchup, while clobbering everyone else in their path along the way. And now, the two undefeated, unflinching teams will hash it out on the field.

There are countless storylines to watch in Saturday's de facto championship bout, of course. But below, we break down the biggest keys for No. 3 Michigan as it goes for a third straight win over No. 2 Ohio State, and make our prediction for the game.

Run the ball, win the game

This one was important enough that we already wrote a full story on the topic. Over the last 20 years, the team that has run for more yards and averaged more yards per carry has won every rendition of this matchup.Those streaks span different players, coaches, schemes and even eras of football, making it possibly the most critical stat in this matchup outside the final score.

It’s what doomed Michigan for so much of the 21st century, what led to the Wolverines’ resurrection in the rivalry over the last two years and, most likely, what will decide Saturday’s result.

“It’s gonna be super important, vital, for this game to come out with a victory,” Michigan guard and team captain Trevor Keegan said Tuesday.

Michigan’s run defense, ranked ninth nationally in rushing yards per carry and per game allowed, figures to at least hold its own against an Ohio State rushing attack ranking 69th in rushing yards per carry and 85th in yards per game. But on offense, Saturday is a chance for the Wolverines’ touted rushing attack to take off after a season of largely lackluster performances.

By now, most fans are familiar with the stats, or at least the fact that they are worse than last season. Through 11 games, Michigan is averaging 67.7 fewer rushing yards (excluding sacks) per game, 1.1 fewer yards per carry, 0.52 fewer yards after contact per carry (and 0.58 fewer before contact), and their combined first-down and touchdown rate has dropped from 35.5 percent to 30.5 percent.