The Sports Corner

2008 Emerald Bowl Preview

California 8-4 (6-3) vs. Miami 7-5 (4-4)

Saturday, December 27, 4 p.m. PST.

AT&T Park, San Francisco, California. 

Pac 10 #4 vs. ACC Coastal #3 (tie - who isn’t tied in the ACC)

Coaches: Jeff Tedford (58-30) vs. Randy Shannon (12-12)

Quarterbacks: Nate Longshore and Kevin Riley vs. Robert Marve (suspended) and Jacory Harris

The line: Cal -7

Payout: $750,000 (Miami) $850,000 (Cal)

Quarterback Jacory Harris was quoted as saying this in the Miami Herald, “I’ve heard so many things about San Francisco. What’s that bridge called? That big old bridge? And there’s something called Fisherman’s something. It’s just going to be a fun experience.”

Harris, a true freshman, had better know more about the Cal defense then he does about the Golden Gate Bridge because he’s getting the start. Harris had been splitting time with Robert Marve but Marve allegedly missed one too many classes and has been suspended for the game. Cal cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson will make Harris look bad if any errant passes are thrown his way.

Miami needs Harris to produce in this game. Cal’s front seven is full of future NFL players and they won’t need much help stopping the run so it’s going to be up to Harris and the passing game to put up points and even that won’t be easy against the Cal defense. Harris and freshman wide receiver Aldarius Johnson will be the focal point of the offense. Johnson is a physical specimen at 6′3 220 pounds. He looks like a young Andre Johnson. The match-up between himself and Syd’Quan Thompson should be fun to watch. 

The Hurricanes will rely on defense to win this game, but that’s been hit and miss this year. There are a few true freshmen on this defense, most notably linebacker Sean Spence, tackle Marcus Forston and end Marcus Robinson that will take this team to an ACC title in the future. But right now they’re still learning how to win at this level. The Cal offense might be able to take advantage of that inexperience. 

Running back Jahvid Best will get the hype, and rightfully so, he ran for 1,394 yards this year and over 500 in their past two games. But what makes the Cal running game so difficult to stop is back-up Shane Vereen, who has run for 679 yards as a freshman. That one-two punch is one of the best in the country and Miami is going to be spending most of their practice time leading up to the bowl game on defending the run. 

As if the two weren’t hard enough to defend, they’re first and fourth on the team in receptions, respectively. Vereen has had a catch in every game this season - the only player on the team to do so - look for that streak to continue. Not that Miami doesn’t have a good backfield duo of their own in Graig Cooper and Javarris James but Vereen and Best are that much more explosive. They’re a threat to score every time they touch the ball.

Cal QB Kevin Riley has done a decent job this season but he’s had to look over his shoulder at Nate Longshore every game. Longshore will probably see plenty of playing time against Miami but I doubt that either QB will see a great amount of success throwing the ball. 

With the game in California, there won’t be many fans from the southeast making the trip. Miami is looking to the future, and they’re going to be great eventually, but right now, Cal is better.

Cal casts away the Marve-less Hurricanes 21-13