Alabama averages 172.7 rushing yards per game.
The Crimson Tide gained 10.9 more yards on the ground than Michigan in the regular season, and while that may not seem like a massive difference, that statistic proves they can match Michigan at the Big Ten side's biggest strength.
Alabama ran the ball 41 times for 114 yards in the SEC Championship Game win over the Georgia Bulldogs.
The commitment to the run allowed the Crimson Tide to possess the ball for three more minutes than the previous top-ranked team in the CFB Playoff rankings.
Alabama needs to execute at an even higher level on the ground in the Rose Bowl to enforce its will on the contest and to keep Michigan from controlling play with the same strategy.
The potential return of Jase McClellan on New Years' Day could make Alabama's rushing attack tougher to stop.
McClellan is dealing with a foot injury that he suffered in the Iron Bowl win over the Auburn Tigers.
"He's getting better. It's probably still too early to tell. He's getting ready to do some dry-land running and some things, so he'll progress through the rest of the week and we'll see where he lands by the end of the week," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said, per the Tuscaloosa News' Chase Goodbread.
The senior running back produced two 100-yard games against Top 25 foes and averages 4.8 yards per carry.
His potential return combined with the confidence Roydell Williams gained from the Georgia game and with Jalen Milroe's mobility in the pocket could hurt the sixth-best rushing defense in the FBS.
If Alabama executes its ground game well, it could keep Michigan off the field and lead to a dominant offensive performance.
