2017 Mid-American 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 | Eastern Michigan | 4 | 518 | 684 | 273 | 1202 | 4.40 | 300.5 |
| 2 | Northern Illinois | 4 | 420 | 753 | 308 | 1173 | 3.81 | 293.3 |
| 3 | Buffalo | 5 | 1044 | 782 | 355 | 1826 | 5.14 | 365.2 |
| 3 | Toledo | 4 | 914 | 782 | 265 | 1696 | 6.40 | 424.0 |
| 5 | Western Michigan | 5 | 817 | 911 | 321 | 1728 | 5.38 | 345.6 |
| 6 | Miami (Ohio) | 5 | 808 | 938 | 327 | 1746 | 5.34 | 349.2 |
| 7 | Ball State | 5 | 744 | 1116 | 328 | 1860 | 5.67 | 372.0 |
| 8 | Central Michigan | 5 | 956 | 1188 | 379 | 2144 | 5.66 | 428.8 |
| 9 | Akron | 5 | 839 | 1275 | 345 | 2114 | 6.13 | 422.8 |
| 10 | Kent State | 5 | 1117 | 1277 | 344 | 2394 | 6.96 | 478.8 |
| 11 | Bowling Green | 5 | 1153 | 1404 | 382 | 2557 | 6.69 | 511.4 |
| 12 | Ohio | 5 | 610 | 1407 | 374 | 2017 | 5.39 | 403.4 |