2016 Big Ten Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games vs. Non-Conference Teams Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | 4 | 39 | 32 | 2 | 73 | 18.3 |
| 1 | Purdue | 3 | 24 | 36 | 2 | 62 | 20.7 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 4 | 20 | 31 | 3 | 54 | 13.5 |
| 3 | Rutgers | 3 | 24 | 23 | 3 | 50 | 16.7 |
| 5 | Ohio State | 4 | 29 | 40 | 4 | 73 | 18.3 |
| 5 | Northwestern | 4 | 39 | 50 | 4 | 93 | 23.3 |
| 7 | Maryland | 4 | 31 | 34 | 5 | 70 | 17.5 |
| 8 | Michigan | 4 | 31 | 22 | 8 | 61 | 15.3 |
| 8 | Illinois | 3 | 17 | 29 | 8 | 54 | 18.0 |
| 8 | Indiana | 4 | 30 | 38 | 8 | 76 | 19.0 |
| 8 | Nebraska | 4 | 33 | 37 | 8 | 78 | 19.5 |
| 8 | Michigan State | 3 | 24 | 29 | 8 | 61 | 20.3 |
| 8 | Penn State | 4 | 29 | 44 | 8 | 81 | 20.3 |
| 14 | Minnesota | 4 | 27 | 42 | 9 | 78 | 19.5 |