| Year: | 1978 |
| Team: | Northwestern Wildcats |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big Ten Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big Ten |
| Record: | 0–10–1 |
| Conf Record: | 0–8–1 |
| Head Coach: | Rick Venturi |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Captain: | Pat Geegan[1] |
| Captain2: | Mike Kranz |
| Stadium: | Dyche Stadium |
The 1978 Northwestern Wildcats team represented Northwestern University during the 1978 Big Ten Conference football season. In their first year under head coach Rick Venturi, the Wildcats compiled a 0–10–1 record (0–8–1 against Big Ten Conference opponents) and finished in last place in the Big Ten Conference.[2]
The team's offensive leaders were quarterback Kevin Strasser with 1,526 passing yards, Mike Cammon with 322 rushing yards, and Steve Bogan with 353 receiving yards.[3]