2016 Big Ten Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. Non-Conference Teams Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Penn State | 4 | 31 | 41 | 11 | 83 | 20.8 |
| 2 | Nebraska | 4 | 37 | 43 | 9 | 89 | 22.3 |
| 3 | Northwestern | 4 | 28 | 44 | 8 | 80 | 20.0 |
| 4 | Ohio State | 4 | 54 | 32 | 6 | 92 | 23.0 |
| 4 | Indiana | 4 | 39 | 47 | 6 | 92 | 23.0 |
| 4 | Iowa | 4 | 36 | 26 | 6 | 68 | 17.0 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | 4 | 40 | 51 | 5 | 96 | 24.0 |
| 7 | Minnesota | 4 | 43 | 42 | 5 | 90 | 22.5 |
| 9 | Michigan | 4 | 38 | 43 | 4 | 85 | 21.3 |
| 9 | Rutgers | 3 | 33 | 24 | 4 | 61 | 20.3 |
| 9 | Illinois | 3 | 19 | 28 | 4 | 51 | 17.0 |
| 12 | Purdue | 3 | 27 | 49 | 3 | 79 | 26.3 |
| 12 | Michigan State | 3 | 23 | 28 | 3 | 54 | 18.0 |
| 14 | Maryland | 4 | 48 | 34 | 2 | 84 | 21.0 |