2026 Big Ten Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games in August/September Only through 09/19/2026
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | 3 | 8 | 13 | 4 | 25 | 8.3 |
| 2 | Indiana | 3 | 11 | 20 | 2 | 33 | 11.0 |
| 3 | Nebraska | 3 | 19 | 14 | 3 | 36 | 12.0 |
| 4 | Penn State | 3 | 16 | 15 | 7 | 38 | 12.7 |
| 5 | Maryland | 3 | 16 | 23 | 4 | 43 | 14.3 |
| 5 | Michigan | 3 | 20 | 16 | 7 | 43 | 14.3 |
| 5 | Michigan State | 3 | 21 | 17 | 5 | 43 | 14.3 |
| 8 | Ohio State | 3 | 16 | 24 | 4 | 44 | 14.7 |
| 9 | Northwestern | 2 | 19 | 22 | 4 | 45 | 22.5 |
| 10 | Oregon | 3 | 17 | 23 | 8 | 48 | 16.0 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 3 | 21 | 19 | 8 | 48 | 16.0 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 3 | 20 | 24 | 6 | 50 | 16.7 |
| 13 | Washington | 3 | 17 | 25 | 12 | 54 | 18.0 |
| 14 | UCLA | 3 | 19 | 29 | 12 | 60 | 20.0 |
| 15 | Illinois | 3 | 25 | 29 | 7 | 61 | 20.3 |
| 16 | Rutgers | 3 | 34 | 27 | 2 | 63 | 21.0 |
| 17 | USC | 4 | 25 | 38 | 9 | 72 | 18.0 |
| 17 | Purdue | 3 | 33 | 32 | 7 | 72 | 24.0 |