2016 Big Ten Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. Unranked Teams Only (AP Poll) through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska | 10 | 97 | 109 | 18 | 224 | 22.4 |
| 2 | Indiana | 9 | 85 | 110 | 17 | 212 | 23.6 |
| 3 | Northwestern | 7 | 62 | 85 | 14 | 161 | 23.0 |
| 4 | Michigan | 7 | 93 | 65 | 13 | 171 | 24.4 |
| 4 | Purdue | 8 | 62 | 106 | 13 | 181 | 22.6 |
| 4 | Penn State | 7 | 73 | 65 | 13 | 151 | 21.6 |
| 4 | Illinois | 7 | 57 | 56 | 13 | 126 | 18.0 |
| 8 | Ohio State | 7 | 110 | 62 | 10 | 182 | 26.0 |
| 8 | Maryland | 9 | 104 | 73 | 10 | 187 | 20.8 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 9 | 95 | 70 | 8 | 173 | 19.2 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | 7 | 79 | 71 | 7 | 157 | 22.4 |
| 11 | Iowa | 8 | 81 | 57 | 7 | 145 | 18.1 |
| 13 | Michigan State | 8 | 73 | 85 | 5 | 163 | 20.4 |
| 13 | Rutgers | 7 | 63 | 60 | 5 | 128 | 18.3 |