Emerald City

Barney continues his non-stop coverage of the 2008-2009 college football bowl season, sponsored by Diamond Foods Inc., who reminds you that if you're going to be a nut, be a walnut! Tonight, live from San Francisco, a speedy game between Miami and Cal will ensue. Barney is an ardent Canes supporter, but can his Canes get past Jahvid Best and the Golden Bears?

Emerald Bowl

Miami vs. California

8 p.m., Dec. 27 (ESPN)


AT&T Park, San Francisco, Cal.

Why watch: Year 2 for the Miami Hurricanes under Randy Shannon was a significant step up from Year 1. The Canes, who finished 5-7 a year ago, were on the verge of a berth in the ACC championship game until a loss to Georgia Tech derailed those hopes. But a win tonight could signal an impending breakthrough in Year 3 for Coach Shannon and his troublemakers. That being said, a win against Cal won’t come easy for the Canes. Cal tailback Jahvid Best ran for 1,394 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, and Miami’s young defense struggled to stop the run down the stretch. Miami’s D has the talent and speed to stay with Best, and his counterpart Shane Vereen, but the question remains, will they? This game will be fun to watch. Both teams have a lot of speed and talent on both sides of the ball. Plus, who doesn’t love watching football being played in a baseball stadium?

Why not watch: If you don’t like the running game, then this probably isn’t the game for you. Both teams are heavily focused around the run, Cal especially. With Miami’s starting QB, Robert Marve, suspended, expect them to focus on effectively running the ball as well. Graig Cooper (778 yards, 4 TDs) will lead the attack for the Canes while Best will be Cal’s go to guy.

Randomness: With the move of the Insight Bowl from Chase Field to Sun Devil Stadium, the Emerald Bowl was the only NCAA Division I bowl game held at a stadium used exclusively by a professional baseball team for two years. However, with the 2008 start of the St. Petersburg Bowl at Tropicana Field, where the Tampa Bay Rays play - this will bring the total of baseball stadia hosting football postseason games to two.

 Pick: Cal 35, Miami 21