Tennessee scored 21 first-half points against Vanderbilt in the season finale last year at Neyland Stadium.

Then, the dam burst.

The Commodores outscored the Vols 24-3 in the second half for a 45-24 victory.

That was a bitter end to a disappointing season for the Vol Nation.

It also left a negative narrative that was inaccurate.

The narrative: UT’s offense scored a ton of points in the first half but fizzled in the second half.

That happened against Vanderbilt. But not against any other SEC opponents.

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Consider this: In Tennessee’s first six SEC games, the offense scored more points in the second half (17.5 points) than the first half (15.5 points). That excludes defensive touchdowns.

In the seventh SEC game, at Florida, the Vols led 31-0 at halftime. Coach Josh Heupel chose to run the clock and not risk a Gator comeback, so UT and Florida had just three second-half possessions, making it impossible for Florida to mount a comeback. UT ran out the last 8:15 to salt the game away.

It would be unfair to count that as an offense-went-belly-up-in-the-second-half argument.

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If you include the Florida and Vanderbilt games, UT averaged 18.1 points in the first half of SEC games and 13.5 in the second half. But the Florida and Vandy games skew the truth: That UT’s offense was mostly as effective in the second half of SEC games as it was the first – with one exception.

Moreover, in the Music City Bowl game against Illinois, the Vols offense scored seven points in the first half, 14 in the second half.

Again, the offense didn’t disappear in the second half.

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The false perception has led many to claim Heupel’s offense gets out-schemed in the second half while opponents adjust defensively. The 2025 numbers don’t support that theory.

We didn’t take into account non-SEC games, not when you led at halftime by 48-7 or 42-7. At that juncture, second half numbers don’t matter.

In 2022, Tennessee’s fast-strike offense led the nation in first quarter points.

It did so again in 2025, averaging 13.83 points in the first 15 minutes during the regular season.

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It would be unreasonable to expect a repeat of those lightning fast starts. For one, the Vols have inexperience at quarterback. Secondly, the SEC schedule is much tougher this season with the addition of a ninth league game.

You might argue Joey Aguilar was a first-year starter who arrived on campus about three months before his first game last season. But Aguilar had been in junior college three years and at Appalachian State for two years. Plus, he was 24 years old.

Aguilar also had a penchant for lighting it up in the first quarter. Against Georgia, for example, he started 14 for 14 passing for over 200 yards.

Tennessee would do well this season to average 10 points in the first quarter of SEC games.

It would do well to average 13.5 points in the second half of SEC games.

And it would do well to average 30 points in SEC contests.

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Here are the 2025 offensive stats by half in SEC games and the bowl game. (Doesn’t include defensive scores or kick returns).

Against Georgia: 21 points in the first half, 20 in the second.

Against Mississippi State: 10 then 17.

Against Arkansas: 17 then 17.

Against Alabama: 7 then 13.

Against Kentucky: 7 then 21.

Against Oklahoma: 10 then 17.

Against Florida: 31 then 0.

Against Vanderbilt: 21 then 3.

Against Illinois: 7 then 14.