2016 Conference USA Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games vs. FBS Power 5 Conference Teams Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Mississippi | 2 | 13 | 17 | 1 | 31 | 15.5 |
| 2 | Western Kentucky | 2 | 14 | 23 | 5 | 42 | 21.0 |
| 3 | Florida Atlantic | 2 | 28 | 15 | 2 | 45 | 22.5 |
| 4 | UTEP | 1 | 11 | 10 | 2 | 23 | 23.0 |
| 5 | UTSA | 2 | 20 | 24 | 4 | 48 | 24.0 |
| 5 | Florida International | 2 | 26 | 21 | 1 | 48 | 24.0 |
| 7 | Rice | 2 | 29 | 21 | 0 | 50 | 25.0 |
| 8 | North Texas | 1 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 26 | 26.0 |
| 9 | Old Dominion | 1 | 8 | 18 | 2 | 28 | 28.0 |
| 9 | Louisiana Tech | 2 | 21 | 30 | 5 | 56 | 28.0 |
| 9 | Middle Tennessee | 2 | 33 | 19 | 4 | 56 | 28.0 |
| 12 | Marshall | 2 | 26 | 27 | 9 | 62 | 31.0 |
| 13 | Charlotte | 1 | 14 | 20 | 4 | 38 | 38.0 |