By John Bohnenkamp

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The lines may vary from a half-point here or there.

But Iowa is at least a three-touchdown underdog against Michigan in Saturday’s Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis.

Still, there’s a reason why they still play the game, and Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said during Sunday’s coaches’ webinar that the 18th-ranked Hawkeyes have an opportunity against the No. 2 Wolverines, although they can’t afford any mistakes.

“Our margin for error is always pretty thin,” Ferentz said. “I think given our roster right now, with guys that aren’t playing versus those who are playing, that margin keeps narrowing, We’ve got to make everything count. And we know that.”

The Hawkeyes (10-2 overall, 7-2 Big Ten) have come up big as big underdogs in the past. They were 24-point ‘dogs before beating Michigan at home in 2016, and they were a three-touchdown underdog against Ohio State in 2017 before winning 55-24 at home.

Then again, the last time these two teams met in the Big Ten championship game was two years ago, and Michigan won 42-3.

“We’ve been here before. And we’ve actually won quite a few games like this in the last 25 years,” Ferentz said. “We’ve got to figure out how best to approach it. And most importantly, we’ve got to play our best football. Anything’s possible in sports. I think we’ve all seen that.”

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HARBAUGH RETURNS: Michigan will have head coach Jim Harbaugh back on the sidelines for the game.

Harbaugh received a three-game suspension from the Big Ten as a result of an investigation into sign-stealing by former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions.

Harbaugh’s suspension only included game days, so he was with the Wolverines during game-week preparations.

“I would say it’s good to be back, but I never left,” Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh said he had remained focused on his team during the suspension.

“It’s been a tremendous season, right in the exact position that we hoped for, that we worked so hard to be in,” he said. “It’s onward now. We’ve accomplished many of our goals, but not all of them yet.

“The next is winning the conference championship, so that’s where our focus is.”

Michigan is going for its third consecutive outright Big Ten title, something never accomplished in program history.

“It would mean a great deal,” Harbaugh said. “This team, it’s a true team, selfless, they play for each other.”

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INJURY UPDATE: Ferentz said he is “optimistic” wide receivers Kaleb Brown, who was injured in the first half of Friday’s win at Nebraska, and Diante Vines can return for Saturday’s game.

The two receivers have combined for 26 receptions this season.

Ferentz also said it is likely that Drew Stevens will do the kicking duties. Stevens had two field goals blocked and had two kickoffs go out of bounds at Nebraska. Marshall Meeder kicked the game-winning field goal as time ran out in the 13-10 victory.

“I think sometimes you start playing games in your own mind too much, and I got the feeling he might be at that point,” Ferentz said. “He’s got a really good resumé and he is an outstanding performer. I’m confident he’ll bounce back and be ready to go on Saturday.”

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INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE: Two former Michigan players — quarterback Cade McNamara and tight end Erick All — transferred to Iowa in the offseason. Both were expected to play big roles in the Hawkeyes’ offense, but both are out with season-ending injuries.

Ferentz, though, said he doesn’t expect to talk to them much about this game to try to gain an edge.

”All it does is clutter your mind,” he said. “I’d rather just look at the film. I know they’re an excellent football team. It’s going to be a huge challenge for us, and we’ve got a lot of respect for them.”