The 2016 season was a tough one for the Missouri Tigers. An inexplicable loss to Middle Tennessee on homecoming and embarrassing blowout road losses at LSU and Florida put a damper on Barry Odom’s first season as head coach.

However, for everything that went wrong this season, there were some positives to take away, too.

For every confusing defensive collapse and missed kick, there was a big play from RB Damarea Crockett and an explosive offensive play from QB Drew Lock.

Though the 4-8 campaign didn’t end in a bowl berth, the Tigers took some steps in the right direction, especially late in the season.

So, as we look back at the 2016 season, with all its ups and downs, here are five things that went right for Mizzou, and three things that didn’t:

5 things that went right

Damarea Crockett: Despite a suspension to end his season, RB Damarea Crockett was one of the best freshmen in the country.

After recording only two carries for 4 yards in the opener against West Virginia, Crockett’s role expanded greatly. In a Week 4 win over Delaware State, he eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the first time, totaling 115 yards and two touchdowns.

Crockett had more than 100 rushing yards in five games and ended his season with a 225-yard performance against Tennessee.

Damarea Crockett Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

In total, the electric freshman finished with 1,062 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He should be even better in 2017, which will instill fear in Mizzou’s opponents.

The freshman class: In addition to Crockett, WRs Johnathon Johnson and Dimetrios Mason also made big impacts for the Tigers.

Mason was a nice sidekick to J’Mon Moore, who led the SEC in receiving yards with 1,012. Mason, meanwhile, racked up 47 catches for 587 yards and three touchdowns.

Johnson added 435 yards and two scores and averaged a whopping 18.1 yards per catch, good for third in the SEC. He also contributed in the return game, averaging 11.2 yards per punt return, bringing one all the way back for a touchdown.

Redshirt freshman S Ronnell Perkins also made an impact late in the season, recording 18 tackles in the last two games.

Barry Odom’s first recruiting class was an overall success. If he can add more playmakers to the mix next year, the Tigers will have a lot of talent to mold.

The Battle Line Rivalry: Mizzou’s “rivalry” with Arkansas might be a little bit forced, but at least the Tigers were inspired to show up and play in their season finale.

Though there’s no bowl game in Mizzou’s future, at least the players were able to end their season by hoisting a trophy and celebrating with fans on the field.

It was a nice sendoff for a senior class that won two SEC East titles and helped the program as it transitioned from the Big 12 to the SEC.

Plus, next year, when the rivalry shifts to Fayetteville, you’d better believe the Hogs are going to be seeking revenge. That should add some legitimacy to the manufactured rivalry game.

Drew Lock’s confidence: Sophomore QB Drew Lock had an up-and-down 2016 season. However, when the dust settled on the Tigers’ 4-8 campaign, Lock found himself atop the SEC leaderboard in many offensive categories.

Lock led the conference with 237 completions for 3,399 yards. His 23-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio was also the best in the conference, though Tennessee QB Joshua Dobbs finished with more touchdown passes (26).

Oct 29, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock (3) throws a pass during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Also notable, though it’s more of a compliment to the offensive line and Josh Heupel’s up-tempo offense, Lock was sacked only 13 times. That was the fewest sacks taken by an SEC quarterback who started all of his team’s games.

Yes, Lock has a lot of growing up still to do, but it was nice to see the sophomore trust his powerful arm and make some big plays this year. After a dismal 2015 debut, this season went much smoother for Lock and the entire offense.

Building momentum for 2017: No, things didn’t go according to plan in 2016, but the Tigers ended the year by winning two of their last three games.

The aforementioned Battle Line win over Arkansas was a nice capstone to the season, but a win over Vanderbilt in Week 11 was also confidence-inspiring.

The Tigers obviously have a lot of work to do on both sides of the ball to compete in the SEC East again, and Heupel’s fast-paced offense needs to figure out how to avoid completely shutting down against top defenses, but there’s reason for cautious optimism heading into 2017.

If Mizzou doesn’t qualify for a bowl game next year, it will be seen as a major disappointment.

3 things that didn’t

DeMontie Cross: Under first-year defensive coordinator DeMontie Cross, the defense regressed at a historic rate.

The Tigers went from one of the best defenses in the country to one of the worst under Cross, who decided to completely change a strategy that had proven effective.

Eventually, first-year head coach Barry Odom, the defensive coordinator under Gary Pinkel last season, took control of the defensive play-calling, which ended up making things slightly better.

If Cross is going to keep his job through the 2017 season, he needs to get his system figured out and installed quickly. He won’t have the luxury of extra practices given to bowl teams, but Cross’s inept defense ensured the Tigers didn’t win the necessary six games.

The kicking game: Freshman K Tucker McCann missed half of his 12 field-goal attempts and an SEC-leading four of his 43 extra points.

Add in Turner Adams’ 5-for-6 extra-point mark and Ben Tesson’s 1-for-2 and the Tigers missed an embarrassing six extra points in 2016.

Both McCann and Tesson were only freshmen, so there’s still time for them to improve, but missing so many easy kicks doesn’t bode well for Mizzou.

When he’s out on the recruiting trail this offseason, Barry Odom shouldn’t have a hard time luring a top kicker to Columbia with the potential of an immediate starting job.

Catching passes: If Mizzou receivers had managed to catch even half the passes they blatantly dropped, the Tigers would be practicing for a bowl game right now.

Unfortunately, having key drops in every tight game cost Mizzou a couple of wins, at least. Moore, who led the Tigers in catches, yards and touchdowns, was one of the worst offenders, dropping at least two big passes per game.

If the Tigers can’t be more consistent with their hands in 2017, Mizzou fans will have to endure even more tough losses.