2026 National Leaders Rushing Defense - Games vs. Ranked Teams Only (AP Poll) through 09/18/2026
| Name | G | Att | Yards | Avg. | TD | Att/G | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | 1 | 29 | 100 | 3.45 | 0 | 29.00 | 100.00 |
| 1 | Temple | 1 | 34 | 148 | 4.35 | 0 | 34.00 | 148.00 |
| 1 | Florida State | 1 | 31 | 155 | 5.00 | 0 | 31.00 | 155.00 |
| 1 | Texas Tech | 1 | 37 | 176 | 4.76 | 0 | 37.00 | 176.00 |
| 5 | Oklahoma State | 1 | 30 | 90 | 3.00 | 1 | 30.00 | 90.00 |
| 5 | Arizona State | 1 | 35 | 92 | 2.63 | 1 | 35.00 | 92.00 |
| 5 | Iowa State | 1 | 29 | 93 | 3.21 | 1 | 29.00 | 93.00 |
| 5 | Texas | 1 | 31 | 94 | 3.03 | 1 | 31.00 | 94.00 |
| 5 | Western Michigan | 1 | 25 | 106 | 4.24 | 1 | 25.00 | 106.00 |
| 5 | Boise State | 1 | 25 | 119 | 4.76 | 1 | 25.00 | 119.00 |
| 5 | Stanford | 1 | 32 | 121 | 3.78 | 1 | 32.00 | 121.00 |
| 5 | Arizona | 1 | 30 | 148 | 4.93 | 1 | 30.00 | 148.00 |
| 5 | Wake Forest | 1 | 34 | 158 | 4.65 | 1 | 34.00 | 158.00 |
| 5 | Louisiana | 1 | 40 | 214 | 5.35 | 1 | 40.00 | 214.00 |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 1 | 32 | 111 | 3.47 | 2 | 32.00 | 111.00 |
| 15 | Rice | 1 | 32 | 118 | 3.69 | 2 | 32.00 | 118.00 |
| 15 | Fresno State | 1 | 37 | 140 | 3.78 | 2 | 37.00 | 140.00 |
| 15 | Ohio State | 1 | 41 | 141 | 3.44 | 2 | 41.00 | 141.00 |
| 15 | Louisville | 1 | 41 | 152 | 3.71 | 2 | 41.00 | 152.00 |
| 15 | Oklahoma | 1 | 41 | 152 | 3.71 | 2 | 41.00 | 152.00 |
| 15 | Ole Miss | 1 | 39 | 162 | 4.15 | 2 | 39.00 | 162.00 |
| 15 | Marshall | 1 | 45 | 163 | 3.62 | 2 | 45.00 | 163.00 |
| 15 | UTEP | 1 | 39 | 170 | 4.36 | 2 | 39.00 | 170.00 |
| 15 | Kansas | 1 | 41 | 177 | 4.32 | 2 | 41.00 | 177.00 |
| 15 | NC State | 1 | 57 | 258 | 4.53 | 2 | 57.00 | 258.00 |
| 15 | Northern Illinois | 1 | 38 | 289 | 7.61 | 2 | 38.00 | 289.00 |
| 27 | Charlotte | 1 | 24 | 127 | 5.29 | 3 | 24.00 | 127.00 |
| 27 | North Texas | 1 | 30 | 134 | 4.47 | 3 | 30.00 | 134.00 |
| 27 | Kentucky | 1 | 40 | 155 | 3.88 | 3 | 40.00 | 155.00 |
| 27 | Texas State | 1 | 36 | 156 | 4.33 | 3 | 36.00 | 156.00 |
| 27 | Houston | 1 | 32 | 168 | 5.25 | 3 | 32.00 | 168.00 |
| 27 | Western Kentucky | 1 | 35 | 234 | 6.69 | 3 | 35.00 | 234.00 |
| 27 | Missouri State | 1 | 47 | 236 | 5.02 | 3 | 47.00 | 236.00 |
| 27 | Ball State | 1 | 35 | 237 | 6.77 | 3 | 35.00 | 237.00 |
| 27 | Georgia Tech | 1 | 45 | 299 | 6.64 | 3 | 45.00 | 299.00 |
| 36 | Arkansas | 1 | 34 | 140 | 4.12 | 4 | 34.00 | 140.00 |
| 36 | Louisiana Tech | 1 | 43 | 147 | 3.42 | 4 | 43.00 | 147.00 |
| 36 | San Jose State | 1 | 40 | 164 | 4.10 | 4 | 40.00 | 164.00 |
| 36 | Clemson | 1 | 58 | 309 | 5.33 | 4 | 58.00 | 309.00 |
| 40 | East Carolina | 1 | 49 | 227 | 4.63 | 5 | 49.00 | 227.00 |
| 41 | Oregon State | 2 | 88 | 383 | 4.35 | 6 | 44.00 | 191.50 |