2017 Mid-American Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. FBS non-Power 5 Conference Teams Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio | 10 | 117 | 74 | 31 | 222 | 22.2 |
| 2 | Toledo | 12 | 116 | 137 | 21 | 274 | 22.8 |
| 3 | Western Michigan | 9 | 103 | 79 | 10 | 192 | 21.3 |
| 4 | Northern Illinois | 9 | 97 | 81 | 15 | 193 | 21.4 |
| 5 | Ball State | 10 | 86 | 85 | 13 | 184 | 18.4 |
| 6 | Eastern Michigan | 10 | 78 | 110 | 16 | 204 | 20.4 |
| 6 | Bowling Green | 9 | 78 | 84 | 17 | 179 | 19.9 |
| 8 | Miami (Ohio) | 11 | 76 | 129 | 25 | 230 | 20.9 |
| 9 | Kent State | 9 | 73 | 52 | 11 | 136 | 15.1 |
| 10 | Akron | 11 | 67 | 107 | 24 | 198 | 18.0 |
| 11 | Buffalo | 10 | 60 | 128 | 24 | 212 | 21.2 |
| 12 | Central Michigan | 9 | 50 | 80 | 18 | 148 | 16.4 |