2012 Mid-American Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. Conference Teams Only through 01/07/2013
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball State | 8 | 100 | 118 | 16 | 234 | 29.3 |
| 2 | Northern Illinois | 9 | 122 | 99 | 9 | 230 | 25.6 |
| 3 | Western Michigan | 8 | 73 | 111 | 16 | 200 | 25.0 |
| 4 | Toledo | 8 | 84 | 92 | 10 | 186 | 23.3 |
| 4 | Miami (Ohio) | 8 | 55 | 113 | 18 | 186 | 23.3 |
| 6 | Akron | 8 | 50 | 114 | 21 | 185 | 23.1 |
| 7 | Ohio | 8 | 84 | 86 | 12 | 182 | 22.8 |
| 8 | Central Michigan | 8 | 63 | 93 | 11 | 167 | 20.9 |
| 9 | Buffalo | 8 | 65 | 75 | 22 | 162 | 20.3 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 8 | 50 | 92 | 16 | 158 | 19.8 |
| 11 | Kent State | 9 | 93 | 68 | 12 | 173 | 19.2 |
| 12 | Bowling Green | 8 | 76 | 67 | 10 | 153 | 19.1 |
| 13 | Eastern Michigan | 8 | 71 | 56 | 12 | 139 | 17.4 |