Peyton Manning hopes to see more offensive balance from Tennessee

Peyton Manning isn’t satisfied with Tennessee’s current offensive output. During an appearance on “Always College Football with Greg McElroy,” the legendary quarterback disclosed what he’d change about the Volunteers.

“I would just like to see, I know [Tennessee head coach] Josh [Heupel] would as well, just a little more balance,” Manning said. “That affects how the defense is going to play. And you know, it’s nice on first and 10 and the defense has to worry about three different things happening, right?

“That puts pressure on a defense and I was always about who’s dictating who, right? I want Tennessee’s offense to be dictating the defense, and I think we’re doing that at times. Maybe it’s not doing it all the time.”

Tennessee’s offense has indeed lacked balance this season. The Volunteers have looked fantastic on the ground, rushing for 231.3 yards per game, the sixth-most in the country. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s passing game has suffered, tallying just 212.5 yards per game, ranking No. 87 nationally.

The ugly air game is an unusual sight for Tennessee fans. The Volunteers boasted the No. 1 offense in the country last season. Led by quarterback Hendon Hooker and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee found passing yards with ease.

Nonetheless, this season hasn’t produced the same bountiful fruit. Manning believes the Volunteers must be willing to adapt to what defenses are giving them.

“In Josh’s offense, the identity can kind of change for that Saturday, right?” Manning said. “Certain game plans, we went in, ‘Hey, let’s go in and just air it out versus these guys.’ The next thing you know, they’re dropping eight guys into coverage on first and second down and they are just not going to let you throw it all today. And all of a sudden, we run it for 175 yards.

“Josh’s offense has that kind of flexibility that it can be anybody’s day on that Saturday. It could be the X receiver’s day. It could be the tight end’s day. Obviously, it could be Joe Milton‘s day. Hopefully, I feel like we have the kind of playmakers throughout our offense that anybody can step up and have a huge day.”

Tennessee will undoubtedly need several playmakers to step up this weekend. On Saturday, the Volunteers will square off against No. 11 Alabama. The Crimson Tide will be hungry for revenge after UT won the rivalry game for the first time in 15 years last season.

The two teams will face off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on CBS.