2016 Sun Belt Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. FBS Teams With Winning Record Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | 5 | 35 | 61 | 9 | 105 | 21.0 |
| 2 | Troy | 6 | 46 | 62 | 15 | 123 | 20.5 |
| 3 | New Mexico State | 7 | 60 | 70 | 13 | 143 | 20.4 |
| 4 | Appalachian State | 6 | 65 | 48 | 7 | 120 | 20.0 |
| 5 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 6 | 52 | 43 | 14 | 109 | 18.2 |
| 5 | Louisiana-Monroe | 6 | 50 | 52 | 7 | 109 | 18.2 |
| 7 | Georgia Southern | 5 | 48 | 35 | 7 | 90 | 18.0 |
| 8 | South Alabama | 5 | 32 | 44 | 5 | 81 | 16.2 |
| 9 | Georgia State | 6 | 22 | 64 | 10 | 96 | 16.0 |
| 10 | Arkansas State | 3 | 24 | 18 | 4 | 46 | 15.3 |
| 11 | Texas State | 7 | 29 | 61 | 12 | 102 | 14.6 |