STORRS, Conn. (AP) - A month ago, when Connecticut was 3-6 and Cincinnati had questions at quarterback, few expected this season-ending matchup to have bowl and Big East championship implications.

But the Bearcats (8-3, 4-2 Big East) will have a chance for a share of their second straight conference title when they visit East Hartford Saturday to play a UConn team that is coming off upset wins over Pittsburgh and Louisville.

UConn (5-6, 2-4) also has motivation. A third straight improbable win would make the Huskies bowl eligible for the fifth time in six seasons.

With Louisville's win over Rutgers on Thursday, Cincinnati can tie the Scarlet Knights, Syracuse and the Cardinals with a 5-2 conference record.

But because they have lost to both Louisville and Rutgers, the Bearcats have no chance to get the conference's BCS bowl berth.