2016 Big Ten Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games vs. FBS non-Power 5 Conference Teams Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois | 1 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 20 | 20.0 |
| 2 | Rutgers | 1 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 21 | 21.0 |
| 3 | Minnesota | 1 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 24 | 24.0 |
| 4 | Iowa | 1 | 13 | 11 | 1 | 25 | 25.0 |
| 5 | Northwestern | 1 | 15 | 12 | 0 | 27 | 27.0 |
| 6 | Penn State | 2 | 10 | 15 | 4 | 29 | 14.5 |
| 7 | Ohio State | 2 | 8 | 19 | 3 | 30 | 15.0 |
| 8 | Michigan | 2 | 19 | 9 | 3 | 31 | 15.5 |
| 9 | Nebraska | 2 | 7 | 20 | 6 | 33 | 16.5 |
| 10 | Indiana | 2 | 9 | 21 | 4 | 34 | 17.0 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | 3 | 15 | 23 | 2 | 40 | 13.3 |
| 11 | Purdue | 2 | 17 | 22 | 1 | 40 | 20.0 |
| 11 | Maryland | 2 | 19 | 17 | 4 | 40 | 20.0 |
| 14 | Michigan State | 2 | 18 | 21 | 4 | 43 | 21.5 |