2016 Mid-American Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. Conference Teams Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Michigan | 9 | 120 | 105 | 11 | 236 | 26.2 |
| 2 | Bowling Green | 8 | 92 | 90 | 21 | 203 | 25.4 |
| 3 | Toledo | 8 | 74 | 108 | 18 | 200 | 25.0 |
| 4 | Northern Illinois | 8 | 98 | 86 | 14 | 198 | 24.8 |
| 4 | Ball State | 8 | 95 | 96 | 7 | 198 | 24.8 |
| 6 | Eastern Michigan | 8 | 69 | 107 | 13 | 189 | 23.6 |
| 7 | Buffalo | 8 | 66 | 88 | 8 | 162 | 20.3 |
| 8 | Ohio | 9 | 75 | 75 | 19 | 169 | 18.8 |
| 9 | Central Michigan | 8 | 54 | 84 | 9 | 147 | 18.4 |
| 10 | Miami (Ohio) | 8 | 59 | 76 | 11 | 146 | 18.3 |
| 11 | Akron | 8 | 61 | 70 | 13 | 144 | 18.0 |
| 12 | Kent State | 8 | 67 | 50 | 8 | 125 | 15.6 |