KEYS TO THE GAME: No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 3 Michigan Wolverines

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines have different paths to victory on Saturday in the latest installment of the historic rivalry.

There are several things in common between the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes and the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines.

Both the Buckeyes and the Wolverines bring powerful offenses, top-ranked defenses and more on the line to win than just improving their record.

The victor will receive bragging rights for the next year (which may be considered by some to be the best reward of all), but life in the postseason is also at stake for both teams. It is widely believed the winner of this game will cement themselves into the College Football Playoff (CFP), while the other might lose their spot for good. 

Here is what Ohio State and Michigan each must do if they are to emerge triumphant from this weekend's regular-season finale.

Ohio State: Run the Football

Ryan Day and his coaching staff don't know what plays the Wolverines will call over the course of the game. What they can assume given the last two years, however, is that the Michigan defense will play aggressive all contest long.

The best way for Ohio State to combat this physical play is to give it right back, in the form of running back TreVeyon Henderson. Depending on the play, Henderson can lower his shoulder and plow through a defensive line, or beat secondaries to the edge and turn on the jets to paydirt.

The Buckeyes offensive line has made tremendous improvement from the opening weekend against the Indiana Hoosiers to this weekend, which bodes well for Henderson's ability to get between the tackles against Michigan's stout defensive front.

Henderson was absent from last season's game against the Wolverines, in which the Buckeyes were out-gained on the ground, 252 yards to 143 yards. Ohio State will need a big performance from Henderson if they want to wake up Sunday morning with a still-intact undefeated record.

Michigan: Shut Down Buckeyes Receivers

Michigan is no doubt aware of what Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. can do when he is given space to make plays. However, the Buckeyes do not always need a big night from Harrison to win.

Ohio State pulled off a last-second road triumph against the then-No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish back on September 23, when Harrison recorded just 32 yards. In fact, Harrison has hauled in less than 35 yards in four of the Buckeyes' 11 games, all of which ended in victories.

Unfortunately for Michigan, this means the passing defense will have to pay equal attention to the rest of the Ohio State receivers and tight ends, including Emeka Egbuka, Cade Stover and Carnell Tate. If the Wolverines can limit the Buckeyes through the air, winning the latest installment of the historic rivalry will be that much easier.