2017 Conference USA Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games in October Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice | 3 | 42 | 19 | 3 | 64 | 21.3 |
| 2 | Western Kentucky | 4 | 41 | 21 | 3 | 65 | 16.3 |
| 3 | Middle Tennessee | 3 | 29 | 26 | 8 | 63 | 21.0 |
| 4 | Marshall | 4 | 22 | 29 | 7 | 58 | 14.5 |
| 5 | UTEP | 3 | 25 | 30 | 5 | 60 | 20.0 |
| 6 | Louisiana Tech | 3 | 37 | 31 | 3 | 71 | 23.7 |
| 7 | UTSA | 4 | 27 | 32 | 1 | 60 | 15.0 |
| 8 | North Texas | 3 | 39 | 33 | 5 | 77 | 25.7 |
| 9 | Florida International | 3 | 31 | 34 | 7 | 72 | 24.0 |
| 10 | UAB | 4 | 30 | 36 | 10 | 76 | 19.0 |
| 11 | Southern Mississippi | 4 | 27 | 37 | 5 | 69 | 17.3 |
| 12 | Charlotte | 3 | 29 | 39 | 7 | 75 | 25.0 |
| 13 | Old Dominion | 4 | 46 | 42 | 6 | 94 | 23.5 |
| 14 | Florida Atlantic | 3 | 25 | 44 | 8 | 77 | 25.7 |