2012 Big Ten Conference Leaders First Downs - All Games through 01/07/2013
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska | 14 | 180 | 121 | 29 | 330 | 23.6 |
| 2 | Indiana | 12 | 84 | 159 | 29 | 272 | 22.7 |
| 3 | Penn State | 12 | 91 | 156 | 23 | 270 | 22.5 |
| 4 | Northwestern | 13 | 161 | 111 | 17 | 289 | 22.2 |
| 5 | Ohio State | 12 | 156 | 86 | 15 | 257 | 21.4 |
| 6 | Purdue | 13 | 104 | 141 | 20 | 265 | 20.4 |
| 7 | Michigan | 13 | 112 | 113 | 24 | 249 | 19.2 |
| 7 | Michigan State | 13 | 94 | 139 | 16 | 249 | 19.2 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | 14 | 157 | 96 | 14 | 267 | 19.1 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 13 | 104 | 102 | 22 | 228 | 17.5 |
| 11 | Iowa | 12 | 96 | 94 | 19 | 209 | 17.4 |
| 12 | Illinois | 12 | 87 | 99 | 11 | 197 | 16.4 |