2017 Mid-American Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. Conference Teams Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buffalo | 8 | 48 | 105 | 20 | 173 | 21.6 | 
| 2 | Toledo | 9 | 93 | 104 | 12 | 209 | 23.2 | 
| 3 | Miami (OH) | 8 | 58 | 94 | 20 | 172 | 21.5 | 
| 4 | Akron | 9 | 55 | 92 | 17 | 164 | 18.2 | 
| 5 | Eastern Michigan | 8 | 63 | 87 | 14 | 164 | 20.5 | 
| 6 | Bowling Green | 8 | 75 | 73 | 17 | 165 | 20.6 | 
| 7 | Northern Illinois | 8 | 88 | 71 | 12 | 171 | 21.4 | 
| 8 | Western Michigan | 8 | 93 | 69 | 10 | 172 | 21.5 | 
| 9 | Central Michigan | 8 | 47 | 68 | 15 | 130 | 16.3 | 
| 10 | Ball State | 8 | 74 | 59 | 10 | 143 | 17.9 | 
| 11 | Ohio | 8 | 92 | 57 | 24 | 173 | 21.6 | 
| 12 | Kent State | 8 | 65 | 47 | 10 | 122 | 15.3 |