Lots of good stuff today on the eve of the game. First, there was a pep rally for both teams at Yerba Buena Gardens in the morning. It didn’t attract a huge crowd, but both bands and cheerleaders were there.

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Cal held its first practice since bowl week officially kicked off, bussing from the San Francisco Marriott back to Memorial Stadium. Coach Jeff Tedford, linebackers Worrell Williams and Zack Follett and center Alex Mack then left a little early to head back to the city for a press conference at AT&T Park.

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Miami starting quarterback Robert Marve has been suspended for the Emerald Bowl because of academic issues. Although Mavre has started 11 of the Hurricanes’ 12 games, backup Jacory Harris has appeared in 11 games as well. Harris will now start against Cal.

Just got off a conference call with Jeff Tedford along with the Miami media, and Tedford said there will once again be a competition for the starting quarterback job for the Emerald Bowl. Tedford has gone into the past few games with Kevin Riley already tabbed as the starter, but today he said “We’ll evaluate the situation as we go over the next week and a half and see how it plays out.” He also said it’s possible that once again both Riley and Nate Longshore will play.

Cal will be hosting the “Cal Bowl Game Big Show” after the Emerald Bowl from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco. Coach Jeff Tedford and the rest of the coaching staff, the players and athletic director Sandy Barbour will be there. Music will be provided by “Tightwad Hill,” a rock’n'roll cover band featuring members of the Cal football staff and marching band. All ages are welcome and tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com (search for Tightwad Hill)

Many of you have been asking about Emerald Bowl tickets. Today, the Emerald Bowl added 1,800 more sideline bleachers so those are now available. Also, I’m told Cal is going to buy back some tickets from Miami and make those available soon.

Tickets are going fast and the game probably will be sold out by the end of the week.

For those who haven’t found it yet, here is the Emerald Bowl official site. It has a bunch of different information about the game.

As expected, Miami was selected as Cal’s opponent for the Emerald Bowl today. The Hurricanes are 7-5 and went 4-4 in the ACC Coastal Division. I’ll have much more on this matchup to come.

Usually, there is no media access with the team on Mondays. But tomorrow is the Big Game press luncheon in San Francisco, so I’ll have some stuff to report. That’s in lieu of the usual Tuesday press luncheon, which won’t take place this week.

A little reading to whet your appetite for tomorrow:

–Here’s our story today, looking at the Bears’ chances of stopping Oregon St. star tailback Jacquizz Rodgers.

–This Oregon St. linebacker is emerging as a star, just as the Beavers expected.

–The Beavers hope to have a balanced offense against Cal.

–Another look at Kevin Riley and his infamous final play against OSU last season.