When the season ends in a few weeks, UConn should be closer to where it wants to ultimately be.

Just a few significant steps closer.

Coach Bob Diaco believes the "giant mess" that he inherited after taking over the UConn football program has been reduced to a "much smaller mess."

The Huskies are just beginning to rise from the rubble.

"Just the other day, I was reflecting to myself, considering how far we've come and still how far we have to go," Diaco said. "Considering where we're at right now, how bizarre it must have been to the group to even be listening to our message eight months ago. It must have been like we were talking in another language.

"... They're getting it."

Diaco will continue to drive home his message during the final three regular-season games, starting tonight against Cincinnati (6-3, 4-1) in an American Athletic Conference game at Rentschler Field (8 p.m., CBS Sports Network).

The Huskies (2-7, 1-4) already are guaranteed their fourth straight losing season. They need two wins to top last year's 3-9 record.

But winning isn't the primary focus down the stretch.

"They're important because they're opportunities for us to get better," Diaco said of the last three games. "We have so much work to do. It's a monumental undertaking in terms of a rebuild.

"This is not building on. This is tear down, rebuild. And that's what we've been doing. And it needs it. And it still is in the beginning phases. It's like a baby trying to lift a coffee table. Did the baby get upset that it didn't lift the coffee table? Probably not. But it is frustrated.

"We understand where we're at as a team, and they know. But we're going to be ready and excited to play this game Saturday night."

There's plenty at stake for the Bearcats, who are in contention for the conference championship, sitting in a tie for second place with Central Florida and just behind leader Memphis. They're riding a four-game winning streak.

Cincinnati is another in a long line of offensive-minded teams in the AAC, scoring at least 31 points in all but two games this season. Quarterback Gunner Kiel has thrown for 2,485 yards and an AAC best 24 touchdowns while operating a potent spread attack. His main targets are Shaq Washington (47 catches, 510 yards, 3 TDs) and Mekale McKay (32 catches, 587 yards, 7 TDs) while true freshman Mike Boone has rushed for over 100 yards in two of the last three games.

The Bearcat defense is led by a familiar face. Co-defensive coordinator Hank Hughes spent 13 years at UConn, building several nationally-ranked defenses during his time in Storrs before leaving after last season.

"It's a defense that they had run around here for a long time," Diaco said. "It's four-down, a lot of quarters coverage and man. A very attacking group, a lot of stress from the D-line."

Despite a losing record, UConn has remained competitive until the fourth quarter in just about every game. A late turnover in the red zone led to its demise in 35-21 loss to Army two weeks ago prior to a bye week.

"Every battle has been a four quarter battle," Diaco said.

Development needs to take place in every area, according to Diaco. One priority is ridding the the program of its losing mentality.

But the talent cupboard is far from empty. He has no doubt that UConn eventually will win a championship in the AAC.

Sophomore Tim Boyle has seen the culture and attitude change for the better since Diaco's arrival.

"I think this team knows what we're capable of for the next three games and down the road," Boyle said. "We put some good games together against some good teams, and we know that. Our problem right now is we play up to our competition and we play down to our competition.

"I think we're at a higher level right now, but the custom and the tradition of losing has been so a part of our culture, that it is hard to break out of it. I think we're on the verge of it."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe