2021 Big Ten 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 | Illinois | 1 | 172 | 83 | 70 | 255 | 3.64 | 255.0 |
| 2 | Iowa | 2 | 332 | 483 | 137 | 815 | 5.95 | 407.5 |
| 3 | Minnesota | 2 | 272 | 500 | 97 | 772 | 7.96 | 386.0 |
| 4 | Northwestern | 3 | 805 | 524 | 219 | 1329 | 6.07 | 443.0 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 3 | 139 | 624 | 198 | 763 | 3.85 | 254.3 |
| 6 | Ohio State | 4 | 858 | 821 | 261 | 1679 | 6.43 | 419.8 |
| 7 | Michigan State | 3 | 456 | 1025 | 223 | 1481 | 6.64 | 493.7 |
| 8 | Purdue | 4 | 641 | 1055 | 260 | 1696 | 6.52 | 424.0 |
| 9 | Indiana | 5 | 751 | 1071 | 333 | 1822 | 5.47 | 364.4 |
| 10 | Penn State | 5 | 951 | 1083 | 369 | 2034 | 5.51 | 406.8 |
| 11 | Michigan | 4 | 557 | 1096 | 282 | 1653 | 5.86 | 413.3 |
| 12 | Rutgers | 4 | 717 | 1139 | 259 | 1856 | 7.17 | 464.0 |
| 13 | Nebraska | 5 | 745 | 1235 | 351 | 1980 | 5.64 | 396.0 |
| 14 | Maryland | 4 | 656 | 1354 | 300 | 2010 | 6.70 | 502.5 |