2016 Big Ten Conference Leaders Total Defense - Games vs. FBS (I-A) Teams Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush Yards | Pass Yards | Plays | Total Yards | Yards/Play | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | 13 | 1550 | 1853 | 809 | 3403 | 4.21 | 261.8 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 13 | 1610 | 2239 | 882 | 3849 | 4.36 | 296.1 |
| 3 | Minnesota | 12 | 1423 | 2755 | 870 | 4178 | 4.80 | 348.2 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | 14 | 1383 | 2836 | 857 | 4219 | 4.92 | 301.4 |
| 5 | Penn State | 14 | 2118 | 3033 | 1023 | 5151 | 5.04 | 367.9 |
| 6 | Iowa | 12 | 1708 | 2494 | 825 | 4202 | 5.09 | 350.2 |
| 6 | Indiana | 13 | 2085 | 2856 | 971 | 4941 | 5.09 | 380.1 |
| 8 | Northwestern | 12 | 1724 | 3161 | 903 | 4885 | 5.41 | 407.1 |
| 9 | Nebraska | 13 | 1922 | 2806 | 855 | 4728 | 5.53 | 363.7 |
| 10 | Michigan State | 11 | 1817 | 2335 | 728 | 4152 | 5.70 | 377.5 |
| 11 | Illinois | 11 | 2640 | 2056 | 816 | 4696 | 5.75 | 426.9 |
| 12 | Maryland | 12 | 2723 | 2560 | 916 | 5283 | 5.77 | 440.3 |
| 13 | Purdue | 11 | 2685 | 2267 | 776 | 4952 | 6.38 | 450.2 |
| 14 | Rutgers | 11 | 3020 | 2135 | 787 | 5155 | 6.55 | 468.6 |