2016 Big Ten Conference Leaders First Downs - Games in December/January Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern | 1 | 10 | 15 | 2 | 27 | 27.0 |
| 2 | Penn State | 2 | 11 | 28 | 5 | 44 | 22.0 |
| 2 | Indiana | 1 | 8 | 11 | 3 | 22 | 22.0 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | 2 | 20 | 18 | 2 | 40 | 20.0 |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 18 | 18.0 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 1 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 17 | 17.0 |
| 6 | Maryland | 1 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 17 | 17.0 |
| 8 | Michigan | 1 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 16 | 16.0 |
| 9 | Iowa | 1 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 14.0 |
| 10 | Ohio State | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 9.0 |