2016 Mid-American Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games vs. FBS non-Power 5 Conference Teams Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kent State | 8 | 93 | 68 | 11 | 172 | 21.5 |
| 2 | Buffalo | 10 | 132 | 82 | 12 | 226 | 22.6 |
| 3 | Western Michigan | 10 | 91 | 88 | 13 | 192 | 19.2 |
| 3 | Central Michigan | 10 | 95 | 97 | 13 | 205 | 20.5 |
| 5 | Ball State | 10 | 80 | 147 | 14 | 241 | 24.1 |
| 5 | Akron | 10 | 126 | 102 | 14 | 242 | 24.2 |
| 7 | Ohio | 11 | 72 | 130 | 17 | 219 | 19.9 |
| 8 | Toledo | 12 | 104 | 122 | 18 | 244 | 20.3 |
| 9 | Bowling Green | 10 | 87 | 105 | 21 | 213 | 21.3 |
| 9 | Eastern Michigan | 11 | 107 | 135 | 21 | 263 | 23.9 |
| 11 | Miami (Ohio) | 10 | 85 | 97 | 23 | 205 | 20.5 |
| 12 | Northern Illinois | 11 | 114 | 127 | 31 | 272 | 24.7 |