| Year: | 1978 |
| Team: | Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Coachrank: | 6 |
| Aprank: | 7 |
| Record: | 9–3 |
| Head Coach: | Dan Devine |
| Hc Year: | 4th |
| Off Coach: | Merv Johnson |
| Oc Year: | 4th |
| Captain: | Bob Golic |
| Captain2: | Jerome Heavens |
| Captain3: | Joe Montana |
| Stadium: | Notre Dame Stadium |
| Champion: | Cotton Bowl champion |
| Bowl: | Cotton Bowl Classic |
| Bowl Result: | W 35–34 vs. Houston |
The 1978 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Dan Devine, the Fighting Irish compiled an overall record of 9–3. Notre Dame was invited to the Cotton Bowl Classic, where the Irish beat Houston, 35–34, after quarterback Joe Montana rallied the team from a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter. The team played home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.
The team was expected to be one of the top teams of the season. It was said that the team could be "awesome on offense" due to having eight returning starters including, Joe Montana, however, there were concerns about the team losing players due to graduations and injuries. The September 23 game against Michigan was cited as a possible pathway for Notre Dame to earn the #1 ranking.
See also: 1978 Michigan Wolverines football team and Michigan–Notre Dame football rivalry.
Notre Dame handed #9 Pittsburgh its first loss of the season.[2] Jerome Heavens, who had never seen Knute Rockne, All American, surpassed George Gipp on the school's all-time rushing list. Heavens passed Gipp on his 24th carry but lost yardage on his 25th before moving past him for good on his 26th attempt. "I think the Gipper tackled me on that," Heavens said.[3]
The Cotton Bowl win over Houston on New Year's Day was Notre Dame's 600th victory.[4]