2016 Big Ten 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 | Penn State | 12 | 105 | 117 | 23 | 245 | 20.4 |
| 2 | Indiana | 11 | 79 | 134 | 21 | 234 | 21.3 |
| 2 | Purdue | 9 | 51 | 103 | 21 | 175 | 19.4 |
| 4 | Northwestern | 11 | 93 | 138 | 19 | 250 | 22.7 |
| 5 | Michigan | 11 | 118 | 98 | 18 | 234 | 21.3 |
| 5 | Nebraska | 11 | 92 | 111 | 18 | 221 | 20.1 |
| 7 | Ohio State | 11 | 139 | 95 | 17 | 251 | 22.8 |
| 8 | Minnesota | 11 | 102 | 81 | 15 | 198 | 18.0 |
| 8 | Iowa | 11 | 100 | 73 | 15 | 188 | 17.1 |
| 10 | Illinois | 10 | 62 | 68 | 14 | 144 | 14.4 |
| 11 | Maryland | 10 | 82 | 77 | 10 | 169 | 16.9 |
| 12 | Michigan State | 9 | 86 | 97 | 9 | 192 | 21.3 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 11 | 110 | 90 | 9 | 209 | 19.0 |
| 14 | Rutgers | 10 | 72 | 66 | 8 | 146 | 14.6 |