2021 American Athletic Conference Leaders Total Defense - Games vs. Ranked Teams Only (AP Poll) through 01/10/2022
| Name | G | Rush Yards | Pass Yards | Plays | Total Yards | Yards/Play | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Carolina | 2 | 230 | 470 | 129 | 700 | 5.43 | 350.0 |
| 2 | Navy | 3 | 372 | 713 | 174 | 1085 | 6.24 | 361.7 |
| 3 | Cincinnati | 3 | 471 | 688 | 222 | 1159 | 5.22 | 386.3 |
| 4 | Houston | 1 | 210 | 190 | 45 | 400 | 8.89 | 400.0 |
| 5 | Tulsa | 4 | 719 | 893 | 254 | 1612 | 6.35 | 403.0 |
| 6 | Memphis | 1 | 197 | 264 | 70 | 461 | 6.59 | 461.0 |
| 7 | UCF | 1 | 336 | 140 | 65 | 476 | 7.32 | 476.0 |
| 8 | Tulane | 4 | 759 | 1164 | 305 | 1923 | 6.30 | 480.8 |
| 9 | Temple | 2 | 496 | 492 | 145 | 988 | 6.81 | 494.0 |
| 10 | SMU | 2 | 327 | 707 | 147 | 1034 | 7.03 | 517.0 |
| 11 | South Florida | 4 | 899 | 1226 | 257 | 2125 | 8.27 | 531.3 |