Earlier this week it was reported that both Brian Smith and Michael Floyd will be back for Wednesday’s Hawaii Bowl against the Warriors of Hawaii. Both Irish starters were injured in the win against Navy in Baltimore in the 10th game of the season.
With Floyd back, the Irish passing game should get back on track. Without Floyd, the Notre Dame air attack struggled against the lack luster defenses of Navy and Syracuse. Hawaii doesn’t have any defensive backs who will be able to cover Floyd one on one and if he is at full strength he should help out things up for the other Notre Dame receivers.
When Brian Smith went down, Toryan Smtih stepped in and filled his shoes pretty well. Notre Dame was defintiely missing a little bit of the fire that Brian Smith brings to the defense though and his return should also make a big impact.
There hasn’t much too much definitive news on Armando Allen’s status for the Hawaii Bowl yet. Allen was on crutches after the USC game and would be replaced by junior James Aldridge if he can’t go.
