2023 Big Ten Conference Leaders Total Defense - Games in August/September Only through 01/08/2024
| Name | G | Rush Yards | Pass Yards | Plays | Total Yards | Yards/Play | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State | 4 | 426 | 596 | 249 | 1022 | 4.10 | 255.5 |
| 2 | Penn State | 5 | 371 | 682 | 278 | 1053 | 3.79 | 210.6 |
| 3 | Michigan | 5 | 428 | 803 | 259 | 1231 | 4.75 | 246.2 |
| 4 | Rutgers | 5 | 493 | 846 | 303 | 1339 | 4.42 | 267.8 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 4 | 473 | 1030 | 288 | 1503 | 5.22 | 375.8 |
| 6 | Iowa | 5 | 691 | 913 | 374 | 1604 | 4.29 | 320.8 |
| 7 | Nebraska | 5 | 434 | 1194 | 341 | 1628 | 4.77 | 325.6 |
| 8 | Maryland | 5 | 582 | 1059 | 341 | 1641 | 4.81 | 328.2 |
| 9 | Michigan State | 5 | 575 | 1134 | 318 | 1709 | 5.37 | 341.8 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5 | 636 | 1171 | 307 | 1807 | 5.89 | 361.4 |
| 11 | Northwestern | 5 | 872 | 969 | 332 | 1841 | 5.55 | 368.2 |
| 11 | Indiana | 5 | 782 | 1059 | 313 | 1841 | 5.88 | 368.2 |
| 13 | Purdue | 5 | 742 | 1249 | 353 | 1991 | 5.64 | 398.2 |
| 14 | Illinois | 5 | 898 | 1199 | 373 | 2097 | 5.62 | 419.4 |