KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Own It. That was Butch Jones’ directive after Tennessee was picked in July to win the SEC East and earn a trip to Atlanta in December.

Needless to say, the regular season was anything but predictable.

There were highs — ending the streak against Florida, beating Georgia on a Hail Mary — but almost as many lows.

There’s still a bowl game — it just won’t be the big one in Tampa or even the Sugar — but it will be a long offseason in Knoxville. Spring ball can’t get here soon enough to begin the process of repairing what went wrong in 2016. But before we look ahead, let’s look back at five things that went right during the regular season … and three that didn’t.

5 things that went right

Finally beating Florida: No matter how you slice the regular season for Team 120, the one thing that cannot be taken away is ending the 11-year drought to Florida.

Beating Florida was an absolute must, more than any other goals or expectations. Especially after Jones had consecutive fourth-quarter leads turn into losses in 2014 and 2015. Despite an early 21-0 deficit, the Vols found a way to come back and finally end the misery of losing to Florida every year since 2004.

Team 120 will forever be remembered as the team that finally ended the streak to the Gators.

Sep 24, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Malone (3) catches a pass against the Florida Gators during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 38-28. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Dobbs: If not for his senior leadership and play-making skills, a season that had lows and adversity could have been worse. Dobbs led the SEC in quarterback rating (152.6) and touchdown passes (26), was third in completion percentage (63) and fourth in yards (2,655).

Dobbs’ athletic ability and composure helped the Vols in every game come back from early-game deficits. His also led the SEC in total touchdowns (36) and was the only player in the conference to produce four five-touchdown games. Without Dobbs at quarterback this season, it is most likely that Tennessee more than likely would have not been able to claw themselves out of early game mistakes and deficits.

Josh Malone: Dobbs didn’t complete those passes to himself. Malone was a prized recruit coming out of high school and had two developmental years before his junior 2016 season. He had 54 career catches for 636 yards. He almost matched his catch total this season, and zoomed past the yardage.

Malone led the Vols with 45 catches for 852 yards; it was the most receiving yards in a season since Justin Hunter recorded 1,083 in 2012. He finished tied for second in the SEC with 10 touchdown catches after collecting just three in his first two seasons.

Derek Barnett: Another talented junior from the 2014 signing class, Barnett capped the 2016 regular season in style by tying Reggie White’s career sack record at Tennessee (32.0).

He leads the SEC in tackles for loss (17) and sacks (11.0). Barnett also recorded nine quarterback hurries, forced two fumbles, defended two passes and intercepted one. He is the first SEC player to record at least 10 sacks in three consecutive seasons, and he’ll try to break White’s career record in the upcoming bowl game.

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) in action during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Team continuity: No matter what went wrong, the team stayed together. Whether it injuries, heart-breaking losses, blowouts or player departures, Team 120 never wavered as a close-knit unit. It would have been so easy to do, too.

Jones has preached family since arriving in 2013. Each year, including this season, Jones’ teams have not quit. They’re not happy with the season-ending loss at Vanderbilt, but that won’t impact their bowl preparation.

3 things that didn’t

Protecting the ball: The macro issue of 2016 was Tennessee clearly didn’t own any part of being picked to win the East and challenge for a Playoff spot. There so many reasons, starting with key injuries to All-SEC type players.

But there were other micro issues, too, issues the Vols had control over.

Their Achilles’ heel was not protecting the ball. Tennessee fumbled 28 times, losing 13. In 2015, the Vols fumbled just 20 times and lost only seven.

Turning the ball over and putting the ball on the ground was a consistent theme this season, something Jones repeatedly was asked to address.

Defensive woes: The defense gave up 5,522 total yards (2,713 passing and 2,809 rushing) to rank 11th in the SEC. It was ninth in points allowed.

Initial adjustments and struggles were expected after Jones brought in Bob Shoop from Penn State. Without question, injuries were a factor. But once injuries began to mount, Tennessee suffered seven games of giving up 400 or more yards (Virginia Tech, Florida, Texas A&M, Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt). The Vols also gave up 30 or more points in six of the 12 regular season games.

How much of 2016 was the result of Shoop’s scheme … or injuries … or both? That will be a key question to answer this offseason.

Strength and conditioning: On April 22 Dave Lawson left his position as director of strength and conditioning. The change and timing was a surprise since Lawson served as Jones’ strength coach in every one of Jones’ first nine seasons as a head coach — three at Central Michigan, three at Cincinnati and then the past three at Tennessee. Michael Szerszen replaced Lawson.

Szerszen’s inaugural season on Rocky Top will be remembered for the abundance of injuries that resulted in the Vols not having enough players to fill a 65-player travel roster.

Jones will need to take a closer look this offseason in figuring out the root of the problems causing his players to become banged up.