2017 Big Ten Conference Leaders Total Defense - Games vs. Ranked Teams Only (AP Poll) through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush Yards | Pass Yards | Plays | Total Yards | Yards/Play | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue | 2 | 389 | 495 | 155 | 884 | 5.70 | 442.0 |
| 2 | Minnesota | 3 | 809 | 375 | 196 | 1184 | 6.04 | 394.7 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 3 | 437 | 633 | 202 | 1070 | 5.30 | 356.7 |
| 4 | Northwestern | 3 | 299 | 928 | 224 | 1227 | 5.48 | 409.0 |
| 5 | Michigan | 4 | 790 | 643 | 245 | 1433 | 5.85 | 358.3 |
| 6 | Rutgers | 4 | 658 | 1073 | 263 | 1731 | 6.58 | 432.8 |
| 7 | Michigan State | 4 | 646 | 1131 | 272 | 1777 | 6.53 | 444.3 |
| 8 | Penn State | 4 | 446 | 1153 | 286 | 1599 | 5.59 | 399.8 |
| 9 | Nebraska | 4 | 1127 | 1056 | 306 | 2183 | 7.13 | 545.8 |
| 10 | Indiana | 4 | 657 | 990 | 308 | 1647 | 5.35 | 411.8 |
| 11 | Illinois | 4 | 1175 | 797 | 318 | 1972 | 6.20 | 493.0 |
| 12 | Ohio State | 5 | 376 | 1303 | 360 | 1679 | 4.66 | 335.8 |
| 13 | Iowa | 5 | 940 | 1031 | 380 | 1971 | 5.19 | 394.2 |
| 14 | Maryland | 6 | 1541 | 1267 | 466 | 2808 | 6.03 | 468.0 |