Why are we acting like the concept in general is something new? 2010 we averaged 13 ppg in a 4 game losing streak early in the year. Except instead of the schedules we face now, it included losses to AF, Nevada, and USU, and a below average FSU.
2012 we lose to SJSU. And in 2012 and 11 we got lucky to scrape by USU. 2011 should have been a loss and 2012 was barely a win 6-3.
2013 we whoop on 2 P5's but lose to UVA and a bad Utah team.
2014 we have a 4-game losing streak to the MWC+UCF and have a dreadful D that year. And of course finish out by losing to Memphis giving up 55.

I mean, it's not like none of this has ever happened before. Since 2010 it's been a lot of "we beat ____ but lost to ____?"

The only difference between prior and now is a tiny bit more consistency in losing the ones you're "supposed to" and winning most of the ones you're "supposed to." Few surprises before on either end. Now the tradeoff is some of the bigger wins that also come with some confusing losses. We're a little more bipolar but still largely doing the same thing.