2016 Big Ten Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games in August/September Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue | 3 | 24 | 36 | 2 | 62 | 20.7 |
| 1 | Iowa | 4 | 46 | 35 | 2 | 83 | 20.8 |
| 3 | Rutgers | 4 | 35 | 31 | 3 | 69 | 17.3 |
| 4 | Ohio State | 3 | 17 | 28 | 4 | 49 | 16.3 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 4 | 15 | 37 | 5 | 57 | 14.3 |
| 5 | Maryland | 3 | 23 | 27 | 5 | 55 | 18.3 |
| 5 | Penn State | 4 | 37 | 31 | 5 | 73 | 18.3 |
| 5 | Northwestern | 4 | 42 | 54 | 5 | 101 | 25.3 |
| 9 | Michigan State | 3 | 14 | 31 | 7 | 52 | 17.3 |
| 9 | Indiana | 3 | 18 | 30 | 7 | 55 | 18.3 |
| 11 | Michigan | 4 | 27 | 23 | 8 | 58 | 14.5 |
| 11 | Illinois | 3 | 17 | 29 | 8 | 54 | 18.0 |
| 11 | Minnesota | 3 | 23 | 31 | 8 | 62 | 20.7 |
| 14 | Nebraska | 4 | 30 | 37 | 9 | 76 | 19.0 |