The first 6 games last year opponent wise look fairly similar to the first 6 this year. Unfortunately for Tennessee their inconsistent play started game 3 of the season and never let up...
I agree with what you wrote but I'll quibble with the part about the inconsistent play starting at game three. I remember watching the Carson-Newman exhibition game and thinking the team had little idea what to do on either side of the ball. It got better last season only after the team hit bottom. Maybe this season will be different. There is reason to believe it will.