2018 Big Ten Conference Leaders First Downs - Games in August/September Only through 01/07/2019
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Penn State | 5 | 63 | 44 | 19 | 126 | 25.2 |
| 2 | Indiana | 5 | 46 | 59 | 15 | 120 | 24.0 |
| 3 | Ohio State | 5 | 59 | 76 | 14 | 149 | 29.8 |
| 3 | Northwestern | 4 | 24 | 53 | 14 | 91 | 22.8 |
| 5 | Rutgers | 5 | 33 | 38 | 11 | 82 | 16.4 |
| 6 | Nebraska | 4 | 44 | 36 | 10 | 90 | 22.5 |
| 7 | Illinois | 4 | 43 | 37 | 9 | 89 | 22.3 |
| 7 | Minnesota | 4 | 41 | 38 | 9 | 88 | 22.0 |
| 7 | Michigan State | 4 | 31 | 48 | 9 | 88 | 22.0 |
| 7 | Purdue | 5 | 39 | 61 | 9 | 109 | 21.8 |
| 7 | Maryland | 4 | 46 | 16 | 9 | 71 | 17.8 |
| 12 | Michigan | 5 | 48 | 45 | 8 | 101 | 20.2 |
| 12 | Iowa | 4 | 31 | 39 | 8 | 78 | 19.5 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | 4 | 54 | 36 | 2 | 92 | 23.0 |