2017 American Athletic Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games vs. Conference Teams Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Navy | 8 | 51 | 84 | 13 | 148 | 18.5 |
| 2 | Temple | 8 | 79 | 58 | 21 | 158 | 19.8 |
| 3 | South Florida | 8 | 68 | 75 | 20 | 163 | 20.4 |
| 3 | Tulane | 8 | 78 | 77 | 8 | 163 | 20.4 |
| 5 | UCF | 9 | 83 | 102 | 18 | 203 | 22.6 |
| 6 | Tulsa | 8 | 92 | 82 | 13 | 187 | 23.4 |
| 6 | East Carolina | 8 | 93 | 80 | 14 | 187 | 23.4 |
| 8 | Memphis | 9 | 96 | 98 | 23 | 217 | 24.1 |
| 9 | Houston | 8 | 79 | 104 | 13 | 196 | 24.5 |
| 10 | SMU | 8 | 98 | 83 | 18 | 199 | 24.9 |
| 11 | Cincinnati | 8 | 88 | 93 | 22 | 203 | 25.4 |
| 12 | Connecticut | 8 | 77 | 120 | 15 | 212 | 26.5 |