Missing four games couldn’t keep Tony Pike off the list of finalists for the Manning Award. Given by the Sugar Bowl, in honor of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning’s college accomplishments, it’s awarded AFTER the bowl games. Sure would help if Pike was actually in the Sugar Bowl, huh?

The nine other finalists are: Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame, Andy Dalton of TCU, Max Hall of BYU, Case Keenum of Houston, Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan, Ryan Mallett of Arkansas, Colt McCoy of Texas, Kellen Moore of Boise State, and Tim Tebow. (Of  Florida, like anyone doesn’t know that by now.)

Meanwhile, trying to mess with Pike’s stats Saturday will be Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award finalist Greg Romeus. The Pitt senior has eight of Pitt’s nation’s-best-42 sacks and has the company of six other finalists: Jeremy Beal of Oklahoma, Brandon Graham of Michigan, Jerry Hughes of TCU, Sergio Kindle of Texas, Von Miller of Texas A&M and Derrick Morgan of Georgia Tech.