Why WR Andrew Marsh thinks Michigan Football’s pass game will be better in 2026

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One of the biggest criticisms of Michigan’s offense the last two years was its inconsistent pass game. While the Wolverines leaned on a productive rushing attack, explosive pass plays were few and far between, allowing opposing defenses to crowd the line of scrimmage and make life difficult for Jordan Marshall and company.

Star sophomore wide receiver Andrew Marsh believes that is about to change. Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show this week, Marsh spoke glowingly about the new coaching staff and the offensive philosophy being installed in Ann Arbor. Marsh believes fans will notice a dramatically different approach this season thanks to Jason Beck and the other offensive coaches.

“I like them,” Marsh said of the new coaching staff. “They’ve come in, they’ve kinda added structure to some places of the team, and I think that it’s really helped us. As well as their scheme — I love the scheme that they’re bringing in. I feel like it’s gonna be open, it’s gonna be explosive, guys will be flying around the field and really kinda just have more freedom throughout the offense as opposed to last year.

“I just feel like this year, you’ll definitely see the ball in the air more. We’ll be able to throw the ball around more, get it in different guys’ hands and really just be more explosive as a whole, and I think that’ll open up the running game as well.”

Those comments should be encouraging for fans who watched the offense struggle to generate explosive plays through the air the last two seasons. Quarterback Bryce Underwood finished his true freshman season with 2,428 passing yards and just 11 touchdowns to nine interceptions in 13 games, averaging only 186.8 passing yards per contest. He completed 60.3 percent of his passes, but the team often relied on the run game to carry the offense, especially later in the season.

The pass attack simply never developed into the consistent complement many expected. Too often, Michigan found itself in obvious rushing situations, making life easier on opposing defenses. While Underwood flashed elite talent at times, the offensive system rarely created the kind of spacing and downfield opportunities that maximize a quarterback’s arm strength or a receiver’s playmaking ability. On top of that, the offensive line failed time and time again to give Underwood a clean pocket, making the pass game even more of a struggle.

That’s where the new coaching staff hopes to make a significant difference, and also where Marsh’s belief in a pass game resurgence comes from. Many of Michigan’s new coaches arrive from Utah, where they orchestrated one of the nation’s most balanced and explosive offenses in 2025. Devon Dampier, their starting quarterback last year, finished the year throwing for 2,490 yards and 27 touchdowns. More importantly, they paired that with a dominant rush attack, as Utah ended the season with 3,462 rushing yards, averaging nearly 266 rushing yards per game.

Those numbers suggest Michigan’s new offense isn’t abandoning the run. In fact, it’s looking to make the passing game dangerous enough that defenses can no longer sell out to stop it.

Marsh’s comments also align with what many expected after the coaching change. The emphasis appears to be on creating space, attacking defenses all over the field and giving skill players more opportunities to make big plays. Rather than a conservative pass game built around avoiding mistakes, Michigan could feature a more aggressive philosophy that spreads the football to multiple receivers.

For Marsh, that means more opportunities for everyone in the receiver room. For Underwood, it could mean a system better suited to his considerable arm talent. And for Michigan’s running backs, a credible passing threat could lead to lighter boxes and more room to operate.

Of course, optimism in July is one thing while being productive on the field in the fall is a whole ‘nother thing. Still, it’s difficult to ignore the contrast between Michigan’s pass production in 2025 and what the new coaches accomplished at Utah. If the Wolverines can approach that level of efficiency while maintaining their potent run game, Marsh’s prediction of a more explosive overall offense may prove to be true and not merely just optimism.

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