2016 Mid-American Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. FBS Teams With Non-Winning Record Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Michigan | 8 | 110 | 80 | 13 | 203 | 25.4 |
| 2 | Ball State | 8 | 100 | 84 | 8 | 192 | 24.0 |
| 3 | Eastern Michigan | 7 | 63 | 92 | 13 | 168 | 24.0 |
| 4 | Ohio | 8 | 80 | 61 | 18 | 159 | 19.9 |
| 5 | Toledo | 6 | 59 | 80 | 14 | 153 | 25.5 |
| 6 | Buffalo | 7 | 67 | 74 | 6 | 147 | 21.0 |
| 7 | Miami (Ohio) | 8 | 60 | 74 | 9 | 143 | 17.9 |
| 8 | Northern Illinois | 5 | 65 | 56 | 9 | 130 | 26.0 |
| 9 | Bowling Green | 5 | 62 | 52 | 12 | 126 | 25.2 |
| 10 | Central Michigan | 6 | 38 | 74 | 9 | 121 | 20.2 |
| 11 | Akron | 6 | 43 | 60 | 15 | 118 | 19.7 |
| 12 | Kent State | 6 | 46 | 39 | 5 | 90 | 15.0 |