2017 Big Ten Conference Leaders Total Defense - Games in August/September Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush Yards | Pass Yards | Plays | Total Yards | Yards/Play | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | 4 | 277 | 536 | 231 | 813 | 3.52 | 203.3 |
| 2 | Michigan State | 4 | 384 | 609 | 235 | 993 | 4.23 | 248.3 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 4 | 297 | 691 | 247 | 988 | 4.00 | 247.0 |
| 4 | Minnesota | 4 | 439 | 694 | 251 | 1133 | 4.51 | 283.3 |
| 5 | Purdue | 4 | 528 | 1018 | 273 | 1546 | 5.66 | 386.5 |
| 6 | Maryland | 4 | 527 | 992 | 282 | 1519 | 5.39 | 379.8 |
| 7 | Northwestern | 4 | 580 | 957 | 298 | 1537 | 5.16 | 384.3 |
| 8 | Illinois | 4 | 718 | 992 | 304 | 1710 | 5.63 | 427.5 |
| 9 | Indiana | 4 | 628 | 1027 | 321 | 1655 | 5.16 | 413.8 |
| 10 | Nebraska | 5 | 529 | 1140 | 326 | 1669 | 5.12 | 333.8 |
| 11 | Rutgers | 5 | 750 | 1071 | 327 | 1821 | 5.57 | 364.2 |
| 12 | Penn State | 5 | 637 | 809 | 354 | 1446 | 4.08 | 289.2 |
| 13 | Iowa | 5 | 674 | 1210 | 355 | 1884 | 5.31 | 376.8 |
| 14 | Ohio State | 5 | 673 | 1005 | 362 | 1678 | 4.64 | 335.6 |