The 1978 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by third-year head coach Pat Culpepper, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 5–6 with a mark of 2–4 in conference play, placing seventh in the MAC. Northern Illinois played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.