2017 Sun Belt Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games in August/September Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia State | 3 | 25 | 27 | 2 | 54 | 18.0 |
| 2 | Georgia Southern | 3 | 34 | 22 | 3 | 59 | 19.7 |
| 3 | Appalachian State | 4 | 29 | 26 | 8 | 63 | 15.8 |
| 4 | Idaho | 4 | 40 | 24 | 3 | 67 | 16.8 |
| 5 | Arkansas State | 3 | 30 | 33 | 5 | 68 | 22.7 |
| 6 | Coastal Carolina | 4 | 31 | 41 | 6 | 78 | 19.5 |
| 7 | Louisiana-Monroe | 4 | 44 | 38 | 10 | 92 | 23.0 |
| 8 | Troy | 5 | 35 | 51 | 9 | 95 | 19.0 |
| 9 | Texas State | 5 | 36 | 57 | 10 | 103 | 20.6 |
| 10 | New Mexico State | 5 | 43 | 55 | 12 | 110 | 22.0 |
| 11 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 4 | 62 | 44 | 5 | 111 | 27.8 |
| 12 | South Alabama | 5 | 36 | 65 | 12 | 113 | 22.6 |