2016 Big Ten Conference Leaders First Downs - Games in August/September Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Penn State | 4 | 26 | 35 | 11 | 72 | 18.0 |
| 2 | Nebraska | 4 | 44 | 43 | 10 | 97 | 24.3 |
| 3 | Northwestern | 4 | 27 | 41 | 8 | 76 | 19.0 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | 4 | 36 | 51 | 6 | 93 | 23.3 |
| 5 | Ohio State | 3 | 51 | 28 | 4 | 83 | 27.7 |
| 5 | Minnesota | 3 | 35 | 34 | 4 | 73 | 24.3 |
| 5 | Michigan | 4 | 47 | 43 | 4 | 94 | 23.5 |
| 5 | Michigan State | 3 | 22 | 36 | 4 | 62 | 20.7 |
| 5 | Rutgers | 4 | 46 | 32 | 4 | 82 | 20.5 |
| 5 | Iowa | 4 | 38 | 31 | 4 | 73 | 18.3 |
| 5 | Illinois | 3 | 19 | 28 | 4 | 51 | 17.0 |
| 12 | Purdue | 3 | 27 | 49 | 3 | 79 | 26.3 |
| 12 | Indiana | 3 | 31 | 36 | 3 | 70 | 23.3 |
| 14 | Maryland | 3 | 41 | 25 | 1 | 67 | 22.3 |