2016 Big Ten 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 | Nebraska | 3 | 725 | 610 | 209 | 1335 | 6.39 | 445.0 |
| 2 | Michigan State | 4 | 615 | 911 | 258 | 1526 | 5.91 | 381.5 |
| 3 | Minnesota | 4 | 682 | 846 | 271 | 1528 | 5.64 | 382.0 |
| 4 | Purdue | 4 | 1000 | 852 | 275 | 1852 | 6.73 | 463.0 |
| 5 | Indiana | 4 | 744 | 692 | 283 | 1436 | 5.07 | 359.0 |
| 6 | Maryland | 4 | 1079 | 1087 | 308 | 2166 | 7.03 | 541.5 |
| 7 | Iowa | 5 | 823 | 948 | 329 | 1771 | 5.38 | 354.2 |
| 8 | Rutgers | 5 | 1514 | 1039 | 363 | 2553 | 7.03 | 510.6 |
| 9 | Illinois | 5 | 1385 | 833 | 370 | 2218 | 5.99 | 443.6 |
| 10 | Michigan | 6 | 724 | 882 | 387 | 1606 | 4.15 | 267.7 |
| 11 | Ohio State | 6 | 909 | 1204 | 423 | 2113 | 5.00 | 352.2 |
| 12 | Northwestern | 6 | 1154 | 1303 | 441 | 2457 | 5.57 | 409.5 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 7 | 850 | 1423 | 454 | 2273 | 5.01 | 324.7 |
| 14 | Penn State | 7 | 1266 | 1642 | 510 | 2908 | 5.70 | 415.4 |