2021 Big Ten Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games vs. Ranked Teams Only (AP Poll) through 01/10/2022
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois | 1 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 18 | 18.0 |
| 2 | Minnesota | 2 | 11 | 16 | 2 | 29 | 14.5 |
| 3 | Iowa | 2 | 20 | 20 | 5 | 45 | 22.5 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | 3 | 11 | 28 | 2 | 41 | 13.7 |
| 5 | Northwestern | 3 | 35 | 31 | 4 | 70 | 23.3 |
| 6 | Ohio State | 4 | 43 | 36 | 9 | 88 | 22.0 |
| 7 | Rutgers | 4 | 39 | 41 | 8 | 88 | 22.0 |
| 8 | Michigan State | 3 | 29 | 44 | 4 | 77 | 25.7 |
| 9 | Penn State | 5 | 53 | 45 | 9 | 107 | 21.4 |
| 10 | Purdue | 4 | 30 | 47 | 7 | 84 | 21.0 |
| 11 | Michigan | 4 | 25 | 49 | 5 | 79 | 19.8 |
| 12 | Indiana | 5 | 39 | 54 | 9 | 102 | 20.4 |
| 13 | Nebraska | 5 | 39 | 55 | 9 | 103 | 20.6 |
| 14 | Maryland | 4 | 38 | 56 | 12 | 106 | 26.5 |