2016 American Athletic Conference Leaders Total Defense - Games vs. Ranked Teams Only (AP Poll) through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush Yards | Pass Yards | Plays | Total Yards | Yards/Play | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston | 2 | 171 | 534 | 143 | 705 | 4.93 | 352.5 |
| 2 | Temple | 2 | 281 | 474 | 114 | 755 | 6.62 | 377.5 |
| 3 | Tulsa | 1 | 268 | 149 | 70 | 417 | 5.96 | 417.0 |
| 4 | SMU | 2 | 522 | 319 | 121 | 841 | 6.95 | 420.5 |
| 5 | UCF | 3 | 667 | 647 | 231 | 1314 | 5.69 | 438.0 |
| 6 | Cincinnati | 2 | 501 | 427 | 160 | 928 | 5.80 | 464.0 |
| 7 | East Carolina | 3 | 729 | 703 | 205 | 1432 | 6.99 | 477.3 |
| 8 | Connecticut | 2 | 532 | 428 | 148 | 960 | 6.49 | 480.0 |
| 9 | Navy | 2 | 601 | 416 | 135 | 1017 | 7.53 | 508.5 |
| 10 | Tulane | 1 | 196 | 337 | 81 | 533 | 6.58 | 533.0 |
| 11 | South Florida | 2 | 797 | 378 | 154 | 1175 | 7.63 | 587.5 |
| 12 | Memphis | 2 | 502 | 708 | 167 | 1210 | 7.25 | 605.0 |