2017 Big Ten Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. Ranked Teams Only (AP Poll) through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan State | 4 | 22 | 63 | 9 | 94 | 23.5 |
| 2 | Penn State | 4 | 21 | 58 | 8 | 87 | 21.8 |
| 3 | Nebraska | 4 | 18 | 50 | 5 | 73 | 18.3 |
| 4 | Indiana | 4 | 19 | 47 | 8 | 74 | 18.5 |
| 5 | Northwestern | 3 | 14 | 44 | 5 | 63 | 21.0 |
| 6 | Ohio State | 5 | 49 | 42 | 11 | 102 | 20.4 |
| 7 | Iowa | 5 | 21 | 39 | 5 | 65 | 13.0 |
| 8 | Maryland | 6 | 33 | 35 | 16 | 84 | 14.0 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | 3 | 19 | 31 | 3 | 53 | 17.7 |
| 10 | Michigan | 4 | 28 | 30 | 4 | 62 | 15.5 |
| 11 | Purdue | 2 | 7 | 26 | 3 | 36 | 18.0 |
| 12 | Illinois | 4 | 19 | 21 | 8 | 48 | 12.0 |
| 13 | Rutgers | 4 | 22 | 20 | 5 | 47 | 11.8 |
| 14 | Minnesota | 3 | 15 | 13 | 1 | 29 | 9.7 |