After finishing the 2010-11 season with its first BCS bowl win and ranked No. 2 in the final BCS poll, TCU faces the task of replacing five defensive starters.

For the past three years, TCU has had the best statistical defense in FBS football and has finished first in total defense an unprecedented five times under head football coach Gary Patterson 8212; more than any other program since NCAA started tracking statistics in 1937. Only Toledo (1969-71) and Oklahoma (1985-87) have also finished first in total defense three consecutive seasons.