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2008 Emerald Bowl Predictions – Cal v. Miami Football Odds & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd

The ACC meets the Pac-10 when Miami and Cal go head-to-head in the December 27th Emerald Bowl. Cal rode a pair of star performances by running back Jahvid Best to wins in its final to games to ensure that it would be bowling for the sixth straight season. Miami had its sights set on the Orange Bowl, but a struggling run defense kept the Hurricanes from an ACC crown. With Miami making the cross-country trip and Cal playing in its own backyards, odds makers have listed Cal as the 8-point favorite with the total set at 50.

Cal hopes of winning the Pac-10 were crushed with losses at USC and Oregon State, but the Bears rebounded strong to finish 8-4 with blowout victories in its final two games. Best led the charge with 201 yards rushing and three scores in a 37-16 rout over bay rival Stanford. Best, then, set a school record with 311 rushing yards and four TD’s in Cal’s 48-7 massacre of Washington. Best is just a sophomore but he has already made plenty of noise. His 8.0 yards per carry leads the country among those who average at least 10 totes a game and his 1,394 rushing yards was the eighth-best in the land. Best also came up big in Cal’s biggest wins with strong performance against ranked opponents Michigan State and Oregon. If you like the Bears to ride Best to another big win, bet Cal at -8 at BetUS and receive up to 145% in sign up bonuses.

7-5 Miami did not end its season the way it would have liked. The Hurricanes had rattled off five straight wins heading into their final two games with a good shot at reaching the ACC title game. But the defense was stung, allowing 691 rushing in losses at Georgia Tech and North Carolina State. The terrible play against the run down the stretch was baffling as Miami held seven of its first 10 opponents under 100 yards on the ground.

There is still reason for the Hurricanes to be proud. Following a 5-7 season in 2007 which ended their nine-season bowl run, Miami is back bowling again. This marks Miami’s 23rd bowl game in the last 26 years. Miami played on or after New Year’s Day 18 times between 1980 and 2004. The Hurricanes have been deadly during the bowl season, winning eight of their last 10 bowl games, including the 2001 BCS National Championship.

If Miami is going to win this game, not only will they need to be tougher against the run, but they will need consistent QB play, which is something they have been lacking at times throughout the season. Miami had rotated freshmen Robert Marve and Jacory Harris at quarterback all season, but Marve was suspended for this game for a violation of team academic rules. Marve has 1,293 yards passing and nine touchdowns against 13 interceptions. Harris tallied 1,001 yards passing with 10 touchdown strikes and six picks. You will most likely see a heavy does of the run with leading rusher Graig Copper put on display. He is just a sophomore and leading receivers Aldarius Johnson and Thearon Collier are both freshmen so this program looks to have a bright future. If you like Canes to continue their bowl dominance, bet Miami at +8 at BetUS.

Cal is making its school record sixth straight bowl appearance and the Bears have won three straight bowl games, including last seasons 42-36 win over Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl.

Jimmy Boyd’s college football picks will help guide you to a winning bowl season again in 2008-09 with your NCAA football betting. If you’re looking for help beating the football odds, you’ve come to the right place.

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Written by Jimmy Boyd on December 23, 2008 · Filed Under College Football Betting Articles, News & Previews

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