2016 Mid-American Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games vs. FBS Teams With Non-Winning Record Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Michigan | 6 | 49 | 57 | 3 | 109 | 18.2 |
| 2 | Bowling Green | 5 | 42 | 49 | 6 | 97 | 19.4 |
| 3 | Western Michigan | 8 | 75 | 68 | 7 | 150 | 18.8 |
| 3 | Toledo | 6 | 41 | 68 | 7 | 116 | 19.3 |
| 5 | Northern Illinois | 5 | 39 | 59 | 8 | 106 | 21.2 |
| 5 | Akron | 6 | 70 | 53 | 8 | 131 | 21.8 |
| 7 | Kent State | 6 | 63 | 61 | 9 | 133 | 22.2 |
| 8 | Ball State | 8 | 63 | 103 | 10 | 176 | 22.0 |
| 8 | Buffalo | 7 | 92 | 56 | 10 | 158 | 22.6 |
| 10 | Ohio | 8 | 44 | 87 | 16 | 147 | 18.4 |
| 11 | Eastern Michigan | 7 | 71 | 82 | 17 | 170 | 24.3 |
| 12 | Miami (Ohio) | 8 | 74 | 78 | 18 | 170 | 21.3 |