2017 Mid-American Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. FBS Teams With Non-Winning Record Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toledo | 8 | 93 | 101 | 18 | 212 | 26.5 |
| 2 | Ohio | 8 | 87 | 61 | 28 | 176 | 22.0 |
| 3 | Western Michigan | 6 | 75 | 61 | 7 | 143 | 23.8 |
| 3 | Northern Illinois | 7 | 75 | 56 | 9 | 140 | 20.0 |
| 5 | Ball State | 7 | 71 | 59 | 5 | 135 | 19.3 |
| 6 | Eastern Michigan | 6 | 54 | 65 | 10 | 129 | 21.5 |
| 7 | Bowling Green | 5 | 51 | 42 | 11 | 104 | 20.8 |
| 7 | Miami (Ohio) | 7 | 51 | 77 | 17 | 145 | 20.7 |
| 7 | Central Michigan | 7 | 51 | 64 | 17 | 132 | 18.9 |
| 10 | Buffalo | 7 | 45 | 92 | 18 | 155 | 22.1 |
| 11 | Kent State | 5 | 41 | 33 | 7 | 81 | 16.2 |
| 12 | Akron | 6 | 40 | 53 | 10 | 103 | 17.2 |