Cal vs. Washington State 2012: Golden Bears' hopes revived

The California Golden Bears improved to .500 in conference play after the team was able to take care of business and cruise over Washington State on Saturday, winning 31-17 on the road behind 318 yards and three touchdowns from the running game.

The victory not only gave the Golden Bears their second conference win and third victory of the season, but also gave the team back-to-back victories after falling in three straight games.

Nick of SB Nation's California Golden Bears blog, California Golden Blogs, reacts to the team's ugly (yet cruising) win over Washington State with optimism the Golden Bears could reach the fans' expectations. But it will depend on what the team can do at home in their meeting against the ranked Stanford Cardinal.

Beating Washington State doesn't prove much, but it is absolutely necessary if Cal is going to get where we'd like to see them get this season. Back-to-back wins have revived hopes for the 2012 season, and now Cal enters the most important week of the year fighting for more than just a trophy and bragging rights. Give 'em the Axe.

California's winning streak gives the team new life as they prepare for their biggest game of the season to date, a meeting against Brian Shaw's Stanford Cardinal.