2016 Sun Belt Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. FBS Power 5 Conference Teams Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Southern | 2 | 26 | 12 | 6 | 44 | 22.0 |
| 2 | New Mexico State | 2 | 20 | 18 | 6 | 44 | 22.0 |
| 3 | Appalachian State | 2 | 19 | 13 | 2 | 34 | 17.0 |
| 4 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 1 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 21 | 21.0 |
| 4 | Louisiana-Monroe | 2 | 12 | 18 | 1 | 31 | 15.5 |
| 6 | Idaho | 2 | 10 | 19 | 3 | 32 | 16.0 |
| 7 | Troy | 1 | 6 | 11 | 4 | 21 | 21.0 |
| 7 | South Alabama | 1 | 6 | 12 | 1 | 19 | 19.0 |
| 9 | Texas State | 1 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 8.0 |
| 10 | Arkansas State | 1 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 14 | 14.0 |
| 11 | Georgia State | 1 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 12.0 |