The Fighting Irish aren't exactly the healthiest bunch heading into Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday night, as many of those responsible for the offense's great successes so far this season are far from models of perfect health.  In a sort of ascending order of games to be missed:

Armando Allen (sprained right ankle): Missed some practice, but should be ready to go Saturday night with little difficulty.  I didn't notice any discernable limp during Saturday's game, but there will be some nicks incurred over the course of getting crashed into by a bunch of large, focused men twenty-plus times a game.

Jimmy Clausen (turf toe): The MRI Sunday came back negative, but Clausen might still be sporting the noticable limp he had for most of the Michigan State game.  Despite losing his top target before the half, Number Seven still played great on one leg in the second half against Michigan State.  Purdue only has four sacks on the season and the Irish offensive line has been great in protecting their signal caller, but Clausen's lack of mobility could be cause for concern if Boilers decide they want to turn up the pressure.

James Aldridge (shoulder): The starting fullback at the beginning of the season isn't going to be back until the Southern Cal game at the earliest.  With Aldridge out, the fullback position has slowly faded away, utilized a few times against Michigan and barely at all against Michigan State, as the Spartans insisted on attempting to cover the Irish spread out of their base 4-3.  The offense has kept humming along after Aldridge went down, but it'll be good to have the big guy back for the stretch run.

Michael Floyd (collarbone/hearts of a lonely Irish nation): Gone for entirety of the regular season, potentially returning for a bowl game depending on his progress, if the Irish make one and when it would be.  Two months seems like a reasonable prognostication, but Weis has said there's no chance he rushes the star wideout back.  Floyd could apply for a medical redshirt if he skipped the bowl game, but it seems unlikely St. Michael would stay for his senior season, let alone a fifth year.

*

A couple fun facts from Eric Hansen:

• Saturday's game against Notre Dame will be the sixth night game in the 86-year history of Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers are 1-5 under the lights at home, including a loss to Notre Dame in 2005.
• Notre Dame is averaging as many yards per game in penalties (69.7) as Purdue has amassed in three games this season combined (69).

via www.sidelinehotties.com

via seattletimes.nwsource.com