2018 Big Ten Conference Leaders Total Defense - Games in August/September Only through 01/07/2019
| Name | G | Rush Yards | Pass Yards | Plays | Total Yards | Yards/Play | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan State | 4 | 161 | 1153 | 281 | 1314 | 4.68 | 328.5 |
| 2 | Iowa | 4 | 336 | 706 | 243 | 1042 | 4.29 | 260.5 |
| 3 | Maryland | 4 | 416 | 839 | 282 | 1255 | 4.45 | 313.8 |
| 4 | Michigan | 5 | 432 | 731 | 325 | 1163 | 3.58 | 232.6 |
| 5 | Minnesota | 4 | 531 | 670 | 241 | 1201 | 4.98 | 300.3 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 4 | 540 | 691 | 223 | 1231 | 5.52 | 307.8 |
| 7 | Northwestern | 4 | 569 | 947 | 264 | 1516 | 5.74 | 379.0 |
| 8 | Nebraska | 4 | 660 | 995 | 295 | 1655 | 5.61 | 413.8 |
| 9 | Ohio State | 5 | 774 | 1011 | 334 | 1785 | 5.34 | 357.0 |
| 10 | Indiana | 5 | 791 | 818 | 323 | 1609 | 4.98 | 321.8 |
| 11 | Penn State | 5 | 809 | 963 | 375 | 1772 | 4.73 | 354.4 |
| 12 | Purdue | 5 | 812 | 1424 | 377 | 2236 | 5.93 | 447.2 |
| 13 | Illinois | 4 | 851 | 1180 | 302 | 2031 | 6.73 | 507.8 |
| 14 | Rutgers | 5 | 1044 | 1144 | 348 | 2188 | 6.29 | 437.6 |