This has been a crazy year for the Tennessee Volunteers. The Vols were ranked #9 in the preseason poll which led to dreams of winning the East and breaking some records. As always, we claimed that this was our year for sure. Butch had spent the past three seasons building Tennessee's program "brick by brick" with improvements each year. 2016 would be the year we took it all. The Vols started strong with a 5-0 record. The hype quickly crashed with a three-game losing streak. That was followed by a three-game winning steak. Finally, Tennessee ended the regular season with a heartbreaking loss. With the regular season over with and bowl games coming up, here's a reflection of the 2016 Volunteer football season, as told by "The Office".

1. Appalachian State

Coming into the season as #9 definitely gave us a boost...until we went into overtime with Appalachian State. We thought we would defeat the Mountaineers by a landslide but slipped by in overtime. Is it really going to be our year?

2. Virginia Tech

The Battle at Bristol was probably one of the most anticipated games in college football. The game at Bristol Motor Speedway set the record for the largest attendance at a college football game. The Vols had a slow start, but got their mojo back and defeated the Hokies 45-24.

3. Ohio

This game was average. The Bobcats kept up with us pretty well, with the score at half time being 14-12. In the end, the Vols conquered and won 28-19. Not bad, but not the most exciting thing in the world.

4. Florida

The Florida-Tennessee rivalry is strong. Florida came in leading the series with a streak that dated back to 2005. The Vols came in 3-0 and ready to end the streak. The Vols were starved for a win, especially after losing by a single point the previous year. The Vols were down 3-21 at the half. We held onto the hope we had conjured up, praying that a comeback could be made in the second half. Our prayers were answered, and the Vols finally ended the streak with a 38-28 victory.

5. Georgia

What a nailbiter! The first three-quarters of the game were typical: Georgia led and Tennessee needed to step up. Well, Tennessee did it. The Vols took the lead near the end of the game with a score of 28-24. Georgia managed to score, leading 31-28 with 10 seconds left in the game. Just as we thought all hope was lost, Josh Dobbs through a hail mary that was caught miraculously by Jauan Jennings, ending the game 34-31. This was definitely a highlight of the season.

6. Texas A&M

After Dobbs' miraculous hail mary that pushed the Vols 5-0, we felt invincible. We were pretty evenly matched as the Vols were ranked #9 against #8 Texas A&M. A 21-7 lead by the Aggies at the half didn't faze us too much. The Vols bounced back and ended regulation 35-35. The Vols fought through not one, but two overtimes, ultimately losing 45-38. It wasn't the best day for the Vols, but it surely was not the worst. 5-1 isn't so bad, is it? Some argued to fire Butch, and others knew we couldn't be perfect. After all, Alabama was quickly approaching.

7. Alabama

The Third Saturday in October for 2016 was expected to be the best game between the rivalry. Since Butch Jones became head coach, the score gap had become smaller and smaller. After a 19-14 loss in 2015 and a 5-1 record for 2016, the Vols were determined to beat the #1 team in the country. The game was a nightmare. The Vols were sloppy and the Crimson Tide did not come to mess around. Tennessee was crushed 49-10 in the worst game up to that point. You gave us hell, Alabama.

8. South Carolina

After the ugly loss to the Crimson Tide at home, the Volunteers desperately needed a win. A bye week gave the Vols extra time to recover and prepare for victory on the road. Unranked South Carolina seemed to be the game to do it. The Gamecocks kept up with the Vols, ultimately becoming victorious. The Vols lost 24-21 and dropped to 5-3. Was it still our season?

9. Tennessee Tech

A loss on homecoming is always embarrassing. The Vols did not need that shame and definitely needed a win after a 3 game losing streak. Tennessee accepted the challenge and had a 55-0 victory over the Golden Eagles. The Vols also became bowl elligable.

10. Kentucky

Kentucky should stick to basketball. The Vols have allowed the Wildcats one victory since 1985, and this year the Vols reigned again.

11. Missouri

Neyland was a strange place to be during the Missouri game. Florida and LSU were finally playing after rescheduling due to Hurricane Matthew. An LSU victory would allow the Volunteers to claim the SEC East over Florida. Chants of "LSU!" were heard throughout the first half at Neyland. LSU failed to score on fourth down at the end of their game, handing the East to Florida. The Volunteer victory was bittersweet. LSU's loss overshadowed the 63-37 win.

12. Vanderbilt

We took our week to mourn the loss of the East. As Butch says, we strive to be 1-0 each week, and that's what needed to do. The Vols were expected to win. We led at the half, but failed to reach the 1-0 goal. The Vols fell to the Commodores.

The Volunteers finished the regular season 8-4 and 4-4 in the SEC. Many fans are asking a variety of questions. Which bowl game will we get? Will the Vols play better next year? Will Butch be back?

One thing is unquestionable: we are Volunteers through and through, and we won't give up on our team. Go Vols!