2016 Big Ten Conference Leaders First Downs - Games in October Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | 4 | 53 | 35 | 9 | 97 | 24.3 |
| 2 | Northwestern | 4 | 35 | 52 | 6 | 93 | 23.3 |
| 3 | Ohio State | 5 | 70 | 42 | 3 | 115 | 23.0 |
| 4 | Indiana | 5 | 41 | 58 | 9 | 108 | 21.6 |
| 5 | Penn State | 4 | 45 | 29 | 10 | 84 | 21.0 |
| 6 | Purdue | 5 | 28 | 56 | 14 | 98 | 19.6 |
| 7 | Nebraska | 4 | 35 | 40 | 3 | 78 | 19.5 |
| 8 | Maryland | 5 | 52 | 38 | 7 | 97 | 19.4 |
| 8 | Michigan State | 5 | 43 | 48 | 6 | 97 | 19.4 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5 | 50 | 37 | 7 | 94 | 18.8 |
| 11 | Iowa | 4 | 37 | 30 | 3 | 70 | 17.5 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 4 | 35 | 30 | 1 | 66 | 16.5 |
| 13 | Rutgers | 4 | 27 | 26 | 3 | 56 | 14.0 |
| 14 | Illinois | 5 | 35 | 26 | 8 | 69 | 13.8 |