2016 Mid-American Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. Ranked Teams Only (AP Poll) through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Michigan | 2 | 15 | 24 | 2 | 41 | 20.5 |
| 2 | Eastern Michigan | 1 | 5 | 17 | 1 | 23 | 23.0 |
| 2 | Northern Illinois | 2 | 22 | 17 | 5 | 44 | 22.0 |
| 4 | Ball State | 1 | 12 | 13 | 0 | 25 | 25.0 |
| 4 | Kent State | 3 | 22 | 13 | 3 | 38 | 12.7 |
| 6 | Miami (Ohio) | 1 | 13 | 11 | 1 | 25 | 25.0 |
| 7 | Bowling Green | 1 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 16 | 16.0 |
| 7 | Akron | 2 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 27 | 13.5 |
| 9 | Western Michigan | 1 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 18 | 18.0 |
| 9 | Ohio | 1 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 14 | 14.0 |
| 11 | Toledo | 1 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 20 | 20.0 |
| 12 | Buffalo | 1 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 13.0 |