2016 Mid-American Conference Leaders Rushing Defense - Games vs. Ranked Teams Only (AP Poll) through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Att | Yards | Avg. | TD | Att/G | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio | 1 | 44 | 114 | 2.59 | 0 | 44.00 | 114.00 |
| 2 | Central Michigan | 2 | 67 | 304 | 4.54 | 3 | 33.50 | 152.00 |
| 3 | Eastern Michigan | 1 | 38 | 163 | 4.29 | 3 | 38.00 | 163.00 |
| 4 | Buffalo | 1 | 34 | 181 | 5.32 | 1 | 34.00 | 181.00 |
| 5 | Western Michigan | 1 | 38 | 184 | 4.84 | 2 | 38.00 | 184.00 |
| 6 | Ball State | 1 | 28 | 186 | 6.64 | 3 | 28.00 | 186.00 |
| 7 | Miami (Ohio) | 1 | 29 | 212 | 7.31 | 5 | 29.00 | 212.00 |
| 8 | Toledo | 1 | 48 | 249 | 5.19 | 3 | 48.00 | 249.00 |
| 9 | Kent State | 3 | 148 | 759 | 5.13 | 8 | 49.33 | 253.00 |
| 10 | Northern Illinois | 2 | 100 | 539 | 5.39 | 5 | 50.00 | 269.50 |
| 11 | Akron | 2 | 111 | 672 | 6.05 | 8 | 55.50 | 336.00 |
| 12 | Bowling Green | 1 | 55 | 359 | 6.53 | 3 | 55.00 | 359.00 |