Meandering through the maize (and blue): Carlos Brown's status for Iowa uncertain

Heading into this weekend's Michigan football game against Iowa, one of the keys seems to be whether the Wolverines can run the football against the Hawkeyes' stout defensive front.

Now, the Wolverines must also wonder whether they'll have Carlos Brown available. Dave Birkett writes that although Brown, the team's leading rusher, is not listed on the team's injury report, he didn't practice Thursday.

That's the most important Wolverines football update this morning. Here are more (late) morning links for you today:

FOOTBALL

• Just like Chad Henne did years ago, freshman Tate Forcier is feeling more comfortable as the leader of the Michigan football team near the season's midpoint, Birkett says. 
• Mike Rothstein and Birkett preview the Michigan-Iowa game in this week's edition of "For Argument's Sake."
• Rich Rodriguez would like to plug the holes in the Michigan defense, which ranks 91st in the country this week, writes Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press.
• The Sporting News has a Q&A with Tate Forcier.
• Greg Dooley of mvictors.com has the details on an earlier Michigan-Iowa matchup, one that occurred in 1900 and was played in downtown Detroit
• Former Detroit Lions quarterback Chuck Long has been named an honorary captain of the Michigan-Iowa game, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
• Forget for a minute whether Tim Tebow will play for No. 1 Florida against No. 4 LSU. Either way, the Gators have their work cut out for them, says Cory McCartney at SI.com.
• The decision on whether Tebow plays has long-term consequences, says George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel.
• Stewart Mandel of SI.com talks about the worst NCAA college football rule in his mailbag this week. 
• The Spartans finally have some stability on their offensive line, says Dan Kilbridge of the Lansing State Journal.

PRO STUFF

• Free Press columnist Drew Sharp says the Detroit Tigers need to take strong steps with Miguel Cabrera to protect their $152.3 million investment.
• The Freep also says that Scott Sizemore may be a replacement at second base for free agent Placido Polanco. 
• It's hockey season already. Seriously? The Red Wings win their opener.