2016 Mid-American Conference Leaders Total Defense - Games in August/September Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush Yards | Pass Yards | Plays | Total Yards | Yards/Play | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Michigan | 4 | 434 | 885 | 235 | 1319 | 5.61 | 329.8 |
| 2 | Toledo | 4 | 701 | 640 | 249 | 1341 | 5.39 | 335.3 |
| 3 | Central Michigan | 4 | 424 | 922 | 273 | 1346 | 4.93 | 336.5 |
| 4 | Ball State | 4 | 388 | 1071 | 273 | 1459 | 5.34 | 364.8 |
| 5 | Kent State | 4 | 664 | 798 | 306 | 1462 | 4.78 | 365.5 |
| 6 | Eastern Michigan | 4 | 429 | 1088 | 298 | 1517 | 5.09 | 379.3 |
| 7 | Ohio | 4 | 523 | 1005 | 270 | 1528 | 5.66 | 382.0 |
| 8 | Miami (Ohio) | 4 | 675 | 910 | 274 | 1585 | 5.78 | 396.3 |
| 9 | Buffalo | 3 | 873 | 330 | 220 | 1203 | 5.47 | 401.0 |
| 10 | Northern Illinois | 4 | 945 | 1051 | 311 | 1996 | 6.42 | 499.0 |
| 11 | Akron | 4 | 801 | 1318 | 341 | 2119 | 6.21 | 529.8 |
| 12 | Bowling Green | 4 | 924 | 1309 | 315 | 2233 | 7.09 | 558.3 |