2016 Big Ten Conference Leaders Total Defense - Games in October Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush Yards | Pass Yards | Plays | Total Yards | Yards/Play | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | 4 | 399 | 372 | 215 | 771 | 3.59 | 192.8 |
| 2 | Northwestern | 4 | 422 | 1168 | 292 | 1590 | 5.45 | 397.5 |
| 3 | Nebraska | 4 | 459 | 814 | 241 | 1273 | 5.28 | 318.3 |
| 4 | Iowa | 4 | 514 | 1044 | 287 | 1558 | 5.43 | 389.5 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 4 | 550 | 751 | 285 | 1301 | 4.56 | 325.3 |
| 6 | Penn State | 4 | 612 | 881 | 307 | 1493 | 4.86 | 373.3 |
| 7 | Ohio State | 5 | 679 | 841 | 329 | 1520 | 4.62 | 304.0 |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5 | 684 | 1016 | 359 | 1700 | 4.74 | 340.0 |
| 9 | Indiana | 5 | 1009 | 1097 | 390 | 2106 | 5.40 | 421.2 |
| 10 | Michigan State | 5 | 1064 | 1144 | 368 | 2208 | 6.00 | 441.6 |
| 11 | Illinois | 5 | 1078 | 1033 | 384 | 2111 | 5.50 | 422.2 |
| 12 | Maryland | 5 | 1295 | 821 | 375 | 2116 | 5.64 | 423.2 |
| 13 | Rutgers | 4 | 1362 | 626 | 290 | 1988 | 6.86 | 497.0 |
| 14 | Purdue | 5 | 1494 | 941 | 336 | 2435 | 7.25 | 487.0 |