2017 Conference USA Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games vs. FBS Power 5 Conference Teams Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UTSA | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 14 | 14.0 |
| 2 | Southern Mississippi | 3 | 18 | 26 | 7 | 51 | 17.0 |
| 3 | Western Kentucky | 2 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 38 | 19.0 |
| 4 | Middle Tennessee | 3 | 29 | 23 | 6 | 58 | 19.3 |
| 5 | Louisiana Tech | 2 | 26 | 18 | 0 | 44 | 22.0 |
| 6 | Marshall | 1 | 7 | 14 | 2 | 23 | 23.0 |
| 7 | UAB | 1 | 14 | 11 | 0 | 25 | 25.0 |
| 8 | Rice | 2 | 17 | 30 | 4 | 51 | 25.5 |
| 9 | North Texas | 1 | 15 | 10 | 3 | 28 | 28.0 |
| 9 | Charlotte | 1 | 15 | 12 | 1 | 28 | 28.0 |
| 11 | Old Dominion | 2 | 28 | 25 | 4 | 57 | 28.5 |
| 12 | Florida Atlantic | 1 | 18 | 10 | 1 | 29 | 29.0 |
| 13 | UTEP | 2 | 28 | 34 | 2 | 64 | 32.0 |