Connecticut took part in one of the more sobering events surrounding Papajohns.com Bowl week in Birmingham, Ala., on Thursday by visiting the Civil Rights Museum.

"You learn more about things we've all read and heard about when we were younger," Huskies running back Jordan Todman said. "You think about how slavery and the fight for civil rights were really not that long ago. But the world's changed."

UConn has gone through a lot of upheavals of its own this season. There was the murder of Jasper Howard and all the close losses, finally ending with a three-game winning surge to clinch this postseason berth.

"We felt like things haven't gone our way sometimes, and life is unpredictable," Todman said. "But we kept fighting and continued playing the game we love."

Now the Huskies (7-5) have a chance to end the year on a real high note by beating South Carolina (7-5) at Legion Field. The program has never beaten an SEC team, and, in fact, has only played Kentucky and Vanderbilt from that league, not exactly the conference titans.

The Gamecocks have a mediocre record but also boast a talented and formidable defense. But UConn proved in the season's stretch run that it can score with anybody.

Over their past four games, the Huskies averaged 40.8 points a game, as the running back duo of Todman and Dixon were complemented by an emerging passing game led by quarterback Zach Frazer and receiver Marcus Easley.

"People talk about SEC defenses," Todman said. "We're coming from the Big East to put it to the test and see how good the defense really is."

A win might put UConn on more radar screens for 2010. The team loses Dixon, Easley and some other valuable contributors, but will return the vast majority of its roster. Some preseason Top 25 recognition is possible.

"I don't want to look ahead, but I definitely think next year could be good," Todman said. "We're only losing two or three offensive starters and our defense is also really young and talented. It looks good for the future."