It was quite a way to end the season.

An upset victory on the road in arguably the biggest game on the schedule.

There was senior Syd'Quan Thompson celebrating while being lifted into the air by fans, swaying his dreads back and forth.

The ultimate capper on a what had been a tumultous ... Wait, there's one more game?

It's easy to overlook this weekend's game against Washington, but as far as the players are concerned, Saturday's game is the biggest one of the season.

Sure, this Huskies team has dropped games to Notre Dame and UCLA, but all Cal sees are those wins against USC and Arizona.

"We know Washington is a great team," fullback Brian Holley said. "We're taking this very seriously."

The Bears appear to have bought into the idea, for better or worse, that the previous week's outcome does not dictate the play of the team the following week. To them, the most important game of the year is always the next one.

Could it be then, that this game means more to them than any other?

Truthfully speaking, probably not.

But they will play like it is. There's more at stake than meets the eye.

This game's for all those who wrote off the team when it got blown out in consecutive weeks in the early stages of the season. The world looked like it was falling apart when Cal started conference play at 0-2. People scoffed when the players proclaimed they would go 7-0 the rest of the way, but with a win tomorrow, they will get close at 6-1 and will be in position to tie for second place in the conference.

This game is for those who were calling Sandy Barbour to fire coach Jeff Tedford.

By my count, this would be seven straight bowl games under Tedford.

Oh, there's also the fact that if the Bears win, Tedford will pass Pappy Waldorf for most victories by a Cal football coach in the modern era.

It's to prove that, as Tyson Alualu said earlier this season, this team is truly made up of "road warriors."

With a win, the Bears will have their best road record in a season since 2004.

It's to give a further taste of what next season will be like with Shane Vereen coming out of the backfield.

Two straight games he has started in place of Jahvid Best, and two straight times he has rushed for career highs in yardage.

Next season is going to be a blast.

But back to Saturday.

It's a game for the fans who stuck with Cal this entire season. Many took a short trip on the bandwagon before jumping off, but for those who remain, tomorrow should serve as a nice parting gift.

It would be especially nice for the student fans, as they will be embarking on finals soon.

It's even for ESPN blogger Ted Miller and every other sports writer who had unwavering confidence in this team despite all the angry e-mails I'm sure they received.

Ultimately though, Saturday's game is for the team.

It's for the 16 players who will be playing in their final regular season game in a Cal uniform.

It's for every other player on the roster who came in every single game with the belief that he was going to help the team to victory.

They've already stated that they are the better team going into Husky Stadium tomorrow.

Now it's just a matter of proving it, and ending the season on a high note ... for real this time though.

Tags: CAL, CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS, CAL FOOTBALL