2018 Big Ten Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games in August/September Only through 01/07/2019
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 4 | 22 | 26 | 9 | 57 | 14.3 |
| 2 | Iowa | 4 | 25 | 30 | 4 | 59 | 14.8 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 4 | 24 | 32 | 6 | 62 | 15.5 |
| 4 | Ohio State | 5 | 32 | 41 | 12 | 85 | 17.0 |
| 5 | Michigan | 5 | 34 | 33 | 20 | 87 | 17.4 |
| 6 | Northwestern | 4 | 30 | 35 | 6 | 71 | 17.8 |
| 7 | Indiana | 5 | 39 | 42 | 12 | 93 | 18.6 |
| 8 | Maryland | 4 | 30 | 36 | 11 | 77 | 19.3 |
| 9 | Michigan State | 4 | 11 | 59 | 10 | 80 | 20.0 |
| 10 | Penn State | 5 | 48 | 44 | 10 | 102 | 20.4 |
| 11 | Nebraska | 4 | 34 | 40 | 13 | 87 | 21.8 |
| 11 | Rutgers | 5 | 41 | 53 | 15 | 109 | 21.8 |
| 13 | Purdue | 5 | 45 | 61 | 11 | 117 | 23.4 |
| 14 | Illinois | 4 | 47 | 49 | 9 | 105 | 26.3 |