Top 10 Reasons for Utah and Arizona : Freedom Bowl: No. 10 is that tonight’s winner might get that ranking.

The 1994 Freedom Bowl again matches teams that would rather be playing somewhere else, against someone else.

No. 14-ranked Utah (9-2) and No. 15 Arizona (8-3) make tonight’s contest the best, most competitive matchup in the 11-year history of the Anaheim Stadium game. Moreover, both up-and-coming powers could benefit from a victory, and the coaches appear to have hammered that notion into the players’ heads.

Lofty rankings and national reputations haven’t always assured quality games in the Freedom Bowl, however.

Who can forget such belly flops as USC’s 1992 embarrassment by Fresno State? Or Florida’s virtual no-show against Washington in 1989?

Two years ago, the Trojans talked tough, then got blind-sided, 24-7, by the passing of the Bulldogs’ Trent Dilfer. In ‘89, the Gators’ Emmitt Smith made it clear he didn’t want to be in Anaheim, gaining only 17 yards in a 34-7 Husky victory.

Perhaps that’s why Utah Coach Ron McBride and Arizona Coach Dick Tomey spent so much time Monday answering questions about motivation, disappointment and failure.

Utah, it was pointed out repeatedly, would be playing Michigan in the Holiday Bowl Friday at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium if not for losing consecutive games to New Mexico and Air Force.

Likewise, Arizona would be preparing for Penn State in next Monday’s Rose Bowl if not for conference losses to Oregon and USC.

Each coach said letdowns shouldn’t be a problem by tonight’s 6 p.m. kickoff.

“We were past that (the 45-28 loss to USC on Nov. 12) the moment it happened,” Tomey said. “Our next game was Arizona State and that’s our most important game of the year. Our players get on to the things at hand, and I’m sure the guys from Utah did the same thing.”

McBride, a member of Tomey’s staff in 1987-89, said: “I couldn’t be happier than to be in the Freedom Bowl. We’re all excited to be here.”

Luther Elliss, Utah’s All-American defensive lineman, put this spin on the game: “With this win we’ll be in the top 10 and we’ll have the best record in school history. This game is very, very important. It will establish Utah as one of the top teams in the nation.”

Tonight’s winner could well be ranked No. 10 or even higher.

“It’s going to be huge,” McBride said. “How many times have you seen Utah in the top 10?”

Answer: Never at the end of a season.

Arizona’s best finish was No. 10 after its 29-0 victory over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl last season.

Tonight’s game features a battle between Utah’s high-powered offense, directed by quarterback Mike McCoy, and Arizona’s suffocating defense, led by All-American defensive end Tedy Bruschi.

Utah’s offense averaged 37 points and 448 yards, scoring 30 or more points in nine of 11 games.

Arizona’s defense allowed an average of 16 points and 285 yards, holding opponents to 10 or fewer points in six of 11 games.

Only in the loss to USC were the Wildcats badly beaten defensively. The Trojans compiled 550 yards, including 390 passing by quarterback Rob Johnson.

“We got nailed, frankly, in that game,” Tomey said.