The 1938 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was an American football team that represented the University of Notre Dame as an independent during the 1938 college football season. In their fifth year under head coach Elmer Layden, the Fighting Irish compiled an 8–1 record, outscored opponents by a total of 149 to 39, and were ranked No. 5 in the final AP poll. They won their first eight games and were ranked No. 1 in the AP poll, but lost to No. 8 USC in the final game of the season.
While the loss to USC dropped Notre Dame to No. 5 in the AP poll, and No. 4 in the Litkenhous Ratings, the Dickinson System ranked Notre Dame as the national champion, entitling the Irish to the Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy. Notre Dame does not claim a national championship for this season.
Tackle Ed Beinor, who also received All-America honors in 1937, was a unanimous first-team pick for the 1938 All-America college football team. End Earl Brown also received first-team honors from the All-America Board, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, and Liberty magazine. Jim McGoldrick was the team captain.
The team played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.
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