2017 Mid-American Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games Lost Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Michigan | 5 | 42 | 35 | 10 | 87 | 17.4 |
| 2 | Western Michigan | 6 | 55 | 51 | 8 | 114 | 19.0 |
| 3 | Ohio | 4 | 27 | 45 | 5 | 77 | 19.3 |
| 3 | Eastern Michigan | 7 | 62 | 59 | 14 | 135 | 19.3 |
| 5 | Northern Illinois | 5 | 39 | 51 | 7 | 97 | 19.4 |
| 6 | Ball State | 10 | 82 | 103 | 13 | 198 | 19.8 |
| 7 | Miami (Ohio) | 7 | 59 | 58 | 22 | 139 | 19.9 |
| 8 | Kent State | 10 | 96 | 81 | 26 | 203 | 20.3 |
| 9 | Buffalo | 6 | 74 | 54 | 7 | 135 | 22.5 |
| 10 | Toledo | 3 | 44 | 23 | 6 | 73 | 24.3 |
| 11 | Bowling Green | 10 | 128 | 111 | 17 | 256 | 25.6 |
| 12 | Akron | 7 | 80 | 91 | 16 | 187 | 26.7 |