This is the big contest, football fans.  Unfortunately, another week and a half of hype is scheduled before any actual football is played.

How do these teams compare?  Who has the edge?  Who will win?

Running Game: all season long, the 49ers have held the edge rushing the ball.  This game is no different.  During the playoffs, the Niners have averaged 236 yards per game and have scored 7 rushing touchdowns.  The Ravens are at 149 and 3.  Frank Gore averaged 4.8 yards per carry and scored 1 TD in the playoffs.  Ray Rice gets 3.9 and .667.  HUGE advantage to the Niners.

Run Defense: the 49ers allow 92.5 ypg and have given up 1 TD in 2 games.  Baltimore is at 128.3, but haven't allowed a rushing TD.  Advantage, if slight, to SF.

Quarterback: Joe Flacco has been impressive against a bunch of weak sisters.  He carries a rating of 114.7 to Kaep's 105.9 (nothing to sneeze at).  The advantage goes to SF because Joe Flacco cannot average 101 yards and a rushing TD per game.  His actual stats are 5.3 ypg and 0 TD's.

Youth: as mentioned in Bleacher Report, the 49ers are younger than the Ravens, especially on defense.  The Niners defense averages 26.2 years against 28.3.

Injuries: Ray Lewis is working with a torn triceps, just like Justin Smith.  Ahmad Brooks was held out of practice on Wednesday (shoulder), but San Francisco has no other major injuries to their starters.  Baltimore is working with Haloti Ngata and Ed Reed nursing a bum knee and dinged thigh respectively. 

Intangibles: with all due respect to Ray Lewis, I do not believe that the Supreme Being really gives a fig about who wins the Super Bowl.  Nor does the Top Deity support one mortal's claim of destiny.  She's got more important things to do.  Terrell Suggs had unkind things to say about the Patriots after their game.  Perhaps he is easily distracted.  From the Bay Area, the allegations against Michael Crabtree turned out to be erroneous.  No distraction there.

Overall, this is the forces of goodness and light against the Empire of ME.  Hubris will not get you a Super Bowl WINNER'S ring, Ray Lewis, although you will get one for participating.

I expect a very physical, hard-hitting contest.  Because of younger and stronger players on both the offensive and defensive lines, this favors the 49ers.  It will hinge, once again, on who can run the ball better and who can stop the run.

The Colin Kaepernick Effect is in full force.  Baltimore will scheme and plan and take away portions of the 49ers offense.  Once adjustments are made, that offense will score and win the football game.

Bottom Line: Baltimore Ravens 17, San Francisco 49ers 38