The expectation going into the 2026 season was that Michigan football would greatly improve upon a passing game that was lagging behind. Ranking fourth-to-last in 2024, the Wolverines gently improved their aerial attack in 2025, moving from 131st to 107th. But with a new offensive braintrust, new receivers and playmakers, the maize and blue have languished, currently ranking 125th out of 138 teams.

Wide receiver Andrew Marsh hasn't quite emerged as the star he was envisioned to be, with 28 catches for 289 yards and one touchdown through six games. On Tuesday, he said that it's crucial that the aerial attack finds a way to take things to another level.

"I would say that's really important for us as a team," Marsh said. "I mean, obviously, just the pass game opens up the run game, run game opens up the pass game. But really just as a team, I mean, as an offense, we know we're not where we need to be. And really yet, we're yet to play to our highest level that we can play. So really just knowing that we gotta step it up."

Michigan may have found that way by promoting true freshman Tommy Carr to the starting quarterback position.

While it's not yet official, Carr came in during the second half of the Wolverines' game against Penn State and quickly provided a spark for the offense. Marsh says there's a lot that he brings to the table, even as a first-year player. Ultimately, it's his IQ and resilience that stand out the most to him.

"I would say just he's smart," Marsh said. "He's someone who brings a lot of knowledge, and he's good. He adapts well to situations."

So when did it become apparent to Marsh that Carr could potentially lead the offense? It wasn't that he had a moment of epiphany as much as he's earned the team's respect given his work ethic.

"I wouldn't say it was just a moment that I realized. But obviously knowing," Marsh said. "I mean, like I said, he's a guy that comes in here and works every day. I mean, he's a guy who we have trust in. I mean, we have trust in everybody on the team. So really just knowing if something happened or he had to step in, we had someone that we could trust in."

Fans will likely get to see Carr in action on Saturday when Michigan football hosts defending national champion Indiana at The Big House.