I think it's understandable to have some concerns when your defense gives up 600 yards on offense. Why? That doesn't happen everyday at TCU or with a usualy stout defense like TCU's.
I do remember Patterson making the same statement last year about the defense and the D turned out pretty dang good. He said something like they were the worst he's ever seen or something. Fired em up pretty good though.
TCU has a good offense. Might be the best this decade. They have more returning starters(than the defense) I think and Dalton of course. Since the defense has lost some key spots there will be a learning curve and time to adjust. And it may not be as good as last year's defense, but i've no doubt TCU's defense will be alright somehow. may take em awhile, but TCU should be strong enogh to beat Oregon-st, even if the defense isn't running on all cylinders. And it can't when you are replacing or trying to replace Hughes, Sanders, other corner, Washington, etc.. Not unless the talent and skill you have exceeds what you had before or learns quicker, etc..
Every fan site needs a Gunner to temper enthusiasm with a bit of reality. You do need to watch for overconfidance-especially in TCU's case. TCU is a target. They are the team to beat in the MWC right now. Everyone wants to win and prove how good they are.
I think it's a good thing though to have expectations. And it's nice to get media recognitions, nice pre-season rankings, however I think Gunner is right there in ways. The team may be annointed by some media, but ultimately you still have to earn it and overconfidance can creep in, players can underperform(BYU snuck up in 2006 I think when TCU was climbing up the rankings at #17 in one)... I'm not saying TCU will lose to Oregon-st or have a bad season, but you fight to get to the top and you have to fight to stay there. One off game and you lose. Oregon-st has the talent that is capable of beating many teams, but they have their own rebuilding issues and at a key spot-QB. If he's not extraordinarily talented and experienced(and we know he's not that experienced), then TCU's defense might not even have that much trouble against him. And even if TCU's defense plays well, I wouldn't be willing to annoint TCU's defense as the next greatest thing or that everything will be fine for all the others games-they're going to face QB's in the MWC that are better and more experienced that Katz at Oregon-st.
Now if TCU beat Utah at Utah in the first four games, that would be a good indicator that the defense IS playing well and at a high level(I think Wynn is a good QB and getting better). You need a good measuring stick and I'm not sure that Oregon-st will be that great of one. Wynn did well against TCU last year as a fresman IMO and I can only think he's do even better at the comforts of home this year...
Generally though- a lot of times your defense has an edge and sometimes tends to play better than the offense in summer camp. And it will swing back and forth. Momentum shifts.
Not the greatest sign in the world that the D gave up all those yards, but not the worst considering the circumstances that TCU might have one of it's or the best offense of this decade with a very seasoned Dalton at the helm, RB's returning, Kerley, etc.. I've been impressed with Dalton myself and kinda wish he were already gone this year, but if BYU managed to win somehow-it would be a savory victory-to beat Dalton at the top of his game. Right? Right.
That might've been the worst day the defense has all summer, but if it still continues-then yes, you should have some concerns.
