2017 Big Ten Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games in August/September Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan State | 4 | 19 | 29 | 4 | 52 | 13.0 |
| 1 | Minnesota | 4 | 23 | 34 | 4 | 61 | 15.3 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 4 | 17 | 34 | 5 | 56 | 14.0 |
| 4 | Northwestern | 4 | 35 | 46 | 6 | 87 | 21.8 |
| 5 | Rutgers | 5 | 30 | 50 | 7 | 87 | 17.4 |
| 5 | Penn State | 5 | 39 | 41 | 7 | 87 | 17.4 |
| 5 | Nebraska | 5 | 33 | 54 | 7 | 94 | 18.8 |
| 5 | Maryland | 4 | 23 | 49 | 7 | 79 | 19.8 |
| 9 | Michigan | 4 | 18 | 19 | 9 | 46 | 11.5 |
| 9 | Iowa | 5 | 33 | 60 | 9 | 102 | 20.4 |
| 9 | Indiana | 4 | 36 | 38 | 9 | 83 | 20.8 |
| 9 | Purdue | 4 | 26 | 49 | 9 | 84 | 21.0 |
| 13 | Illinois | 4 | 44 | 42 | 10 | 96 | 24.0 |
| 14 | Ohio State | 5 | 33 | 51 | 14 | 98 | 19.6 |