2016 American Athletic Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games vs. Conference Teams Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Navy | 9 | 78 | 109 | 3 | 190 | 21.1 |
| 2 | Connecticut | 8 | 70 | 103 | 6 | 179 | 22.4 |
| 3 | Temple | 9 | 47 | 61 | 7 | 115 | 12.8 |
| 4 | SMU | 8 | 91 | 71 | 10 | 172 | 21.5 |
| 5 | Tulsa | 8 | 74 | 89 | 11 | 174 | 21.8 |
| 5 | South Florida | 8 | 87 | 101 | 11 | 199 | 24.9 |
| 5 | Cincinnati | 8 | 97 | 93 | 11 | 201 | 25.1 |
| 8 | Houston | 8 | 50 | 89 | 14 | 153 | 19.1 |
| 8 | UCF | 8 | 88 | 79 | 14 | 181 | 22.6 |
| 10 | Tulane | 8 | 78 | 64 | 15 | 157 | 19.6 |
| 10 | East Carolina | 8 | 105 | 71 | 15 | 191 | 23.9 |
| 12 | Memphis | 8 | 93 | 93 | 16 | 202 | 25.3 |