2021 Big Ten Conference Leaders Total Defense - Games in August/September Only through 01/10/2022
| Name | G | Rush Yards | Pass Yards | Plays | Total Yards | Yards/Play | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin | 3 | 69 | 562 | 158 | 631 | 3.99 | 210.3 |
| 2 | Rutgers | 4 | 451 | 600 | 238 | 1051 | 4.42 | 262.8 |
| 3 | Iowa | 4 | 339 | 748 | 276 | 1087 | 3.94 | 271.8 |
| 4 | Minnesota | 4 | 308 | 783 | 215 | 1091 | 5.07 | 272.8 |
| 5 | Purdue | 4 | 487 | 707 | 257 | 1194 | 4.65 | 298.5 |
| 6 | Michigan | 4 | 533 | 686 | 264 | 1219 | 4.62 | 304.8 |
| 7 | Maryland | 4 | 447 | 850 | 263 | 1297 | 4.93 | 324.3 |
| 8 | Penn State | 4 | 489 | 818 | 305 | 1307 | 4.29 | 326.8 |
| 9 | Indiana | 4 | 434 | 916 | 261 | 1350 | 5.17 | 337.5 |
| 10 | Michigan State | 4 | 518 | 1056 | 328 | 1574 | 4.80 | 393.5 |
| 11 | Northwestern | 4 | 747 | 842 | 281 | 1589 | 5.65 | 397.3 |
| 12 | Nebraska | 5 | 696 | 943 | 330 | 1639 | 4.97 | 327.8 |
| 13 | Ohio State | 4 | 621 | 1022 | 304 | 1643 | 5.40 | 410.8 |
| 14 | Illinois | 5 | 679 | 1562 | 362 | 2241 | 6.19 | 448.2 |