2017 Mid-American Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games vs. FBS non-Power 5 Conference Teams Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Illinois | 9 | 50 | 77 | 12 | 139 | 15.4 |
| 2 | Kent State | 9 | 80 | 64 | 21 | 165 | 18.3 |
| 3 | Western Michigan | 9 | 68 | 80 | 19 | 167 | 18.6 |
| 4 | Central Michigan | 9 | 89 | 67 | 14 | 170 | 18.9 |
| 5 | Ohio | 10 | 52 | 112 | 17 | 181 | 18.1 |
| 6 | Eastern Michigan | 10 | 87 | 88 | 17 | 192 | 19.2 |
| 7 | Ball State | 10 | 93 | 102 | 13 | 208 | 20.8 |
| 8 | Miami (OH) | 11 | 90 | 94 | 29 | 213 | 19.4 |
| 9 | Buffalo | 10 | 114 | 91 | 14 | 219 | 21.9 |
| 10 | Bowling Green | 9 | 114 | 98 | 18 | 230 | 25.6 |
| 11 | Toledo | 12 | 104 | 114 | 32 | 250 | 20.8 |
| 12 | Akron | 11 | 134 | 115 | 20 | 269 | 24.5 |