2016 Mid-American Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. Unranked Teams Only (AP Poll) through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Michigan | 13 | 178 | 140 | 17 | 335 | 25.8 |
| 2 | Toledo | 12 | 113 | 160 | 22 | 295 | 24.6 |
| 3 | Eastern Michigan | 12 | 110 | 150 | 20 | 280 | 23.3 |
| 4 | Ohio | 13 | 125 | 122 | 31 | 278 | 21.4 |
| 5 | Ball State | 11 | 129 | 126 | 14 | 269 | 24.5 |
| 6 | Bowling Green | 11 | 121 | 117 | 25 | 263 | 23.9 |
| 7 | Northern Illinois | 10 | 114 | 105 | 19 | 238 | 23.8 |
| 8 | Miami (Ohio) | 12 | 91 | 118 | 20 | 229 | 19.1 |
| 9 | Central Michigan | 11 | 70 | 129 | 17 | 216 | 19.6 |
| 10 | Akron | 10 | 72 | 113 | 22 | 207 | 20.7 |
| 10 | Buffalo | 11 | 90 | 106 | 11 | 207 | 18.8 |
| 12 | Kent State | 9 | 71 | 60 | 9 | 140 | 15.6 |