2017 Sun Belt Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. Conference Teams Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico State | 8 | 53 | 120 | 12 | 185 | 23.1 |
| 2 | Arkansas State | 8 | 76 | 118 | 20 | 214 | 26.8 |
| 3 | Louisiana-Monroe | 8 | 75 | 100 | 11 | 186 | 23.3 |
| 4 | Georgia State | 8 | 55 | 97 | 9 | 161 | 20.1 |
| 5 | Troy | 8 | 53 | 93 | 14 | 160 | 20.0 |
| 6 | South Alabama | 8 | 44 | 88 | 10 | 142 | 17.8 |
| 7 | Idaho | 8 | 51 | 84 | 13 | 148 | 18.5 |
| 8 | Texas State | 8 | 71 | 82 | 15 | 168 | 21.0 |
| 9 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 8 | 78 | 79 | 9 | 166 | 20.8 |
| 10 | Coastal Carolina | 8 | 62 | 70 | 10 | 142 | 17.8 |
| 11 | Appalachian State | 8 | 86 | 69 | 13 | 168 | 21.0 |
| 12 | Georgia Southern | 8 | 108 | 39 | 8 | 155 | 19.4 |