This is a brand new world for this UConn football team.

The Huskies enter Saturday's regular-season finale at No. 25 Temple as a bowl-eligible team. The program last qualified for postseason in 2010.

The Owls can clinch a spot in the inaugural American Athletic Conference championship game with a win or South Florida loss. Kickoff is 7 p.m. (ESPNU) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

It's human nature for the Huskies to enjoy some level of satisfaction from last week's emotional, bowl-clinching win over No. 21 Houston that allowed them to accomplish a major goal.

During their preparation this week, coach Bob Diaco reminded the Huskies what it took to reach this stage in their development.

"It's a big, big part of the conversation and the understanding of what got us to a point where we can have this excitement and level of joy," Diaco said, "and this much engagement in the work and this return on our investment.

"It's been a day-to-day, drill down focus, win the day today mentality. And that can't change. ... Just as toxic to success as losing is, also is success. It can be the same level of poison if it distracts you from the work at hand. That's the critical piece.

"Our team understands that. They're a mature group. They've been through a lot. I don't anticipate any level of satisfaction. This has been a hungry group and I anticipate their appetite isn't going to be satisfied any time soon."

UConn (6-5, 4-3) enters the game on a season-high three-game winning streak. The Huskies can improve their bowl position by beating a ranked team for the second straight week. It would be another tremendous accomplishment for a team that had only two wins versus top 25 teams in program history prior to beating Houston.

Temple (9-2, 6-1), the East Division leader, is enjoying a breakout season. A win would give the Owls their first 10-win regular season in school history and a trip to Houston for next week's inaugural AAC Championship vs. the Cougars (a loss gives South Florida the East title and spot in the final).

"The matchup is very exciting," Diaco said. "Two football teams that are built in similar ways. They're a little bit in front of us in terms of the phase of their development. ... If you enjoy watching two heavyweights going at it in the center of the ring, this would be more that style. ...That's kind of football they play, and that's the kind of football we like to play. So, for that, I'm very excited."

Experience is on Temple's side. Twenty upperclassmen are listed as starters on offense and defense, including junior quarterback P.J. Walker (2,290 passing yards, 17 TDs) and senior linebacker Tyler Matakevich (five interceptions, 9.7 tackles per game), a tackling machine from Stratford.

Walker, who threw his school-record setting 50th career touchdown pass in a 31-12 win over Memphis, has a potent offensive partner in tailback Jahad Thomas, who's rushed for 1,069 yards and 15 touchdowns behind a big, physical offensive line.

Matakevich, who play at St. Joseph of Trumbull, is only one of seven players in NCAA FBS history to rack up four 100-tackle seasons and the active NCAA leader in career total tackles (461). He anchors a defense that ranks first in the AAC, allowing 345.7 yards per game.

UConn junior Noel Thomas worked out with Matakevich during the offseason in Stamford.

"He's a strong guy," Thomas said. "I always tried to keep up with him in the weight room. ... He just one of those guys that's going to give everything he's got every single play. He's very fast, too."

UConn's starting quarterback situation is a bit up in the air. Bryant Shirreffs, who's started every game this season, is still recovering from a head injury suffered versus Houston. Backup Tim Boyle will likely get the call today. He performed well coming off the bench last week, completing 12 of 22 passes for 110 yards.

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe