[3] The Wolverines sustained their only regular season defeat against in-state rival Michigan State, but defeated rivals Notre Dame (the first game in the Michigan–Notre Dame football rivalry since 1943) and Ohio State (the last game in The Ten Year War between coaches Schembechler and Woody Hayes).

Eight Michigan players received first-team honors on the 1978 All-Big Ten Conference football team, including Leach, fullback Russell Davis, offensive tackle Jon Giesler, defensive tackle Curtis Greer, linebacker Ron Simpkins, and defensive backs Mike Jolly and Mike Harden.

Key players returning from the 1977 team included quarterback Rick Leach, running backs Russell Davis and Harlan Huckleby, and linebacker Ron Simpkins.

Others not returning included offensive linemen Mark Donahue, Walt Downing, and Mike Kenn, linebacker/punter John Anderson, and defensive back Dwight Hicks.

The 1978 recruiting class included tailback Butch Woolfolk, offensive tackles Bubba Paris and Ed Muransky, and defensive back Brian Carpenter.

4 in the pre-season polls, opened its season with a 31–0 victory over an Illinois team led by Michigan's former defensive coordinator, Gary Moeller.

Roosevelt Smith scored on a three-yard run, and Leach's second touchdown followed a fumble recovery by walk-on middle guard Jim Humphries at Illinois' 31-yard line.

The first meeting in the Michigan–Notre Dame football rivalry since 1943, the game matched the schools' "duelling quarterbacks" Joe Montana and Rick Leach.

With only a minute and 53 seconds off the clock, Notre Dame took an early lead on a six-yard touchdown pass from Montana to Dennis Gridinger.

Near the end of the third quarter, Jerry Meter then intercepted a Joe Montana pass near midfield and returned it to the Notre Dame 34-yard line.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Michigan then capitalized on the turnover when Leach threw a second touchdown pass to Marsh, this one covering 17 yards.

[7] The ABC broadcast crew named Rick Leach and Jerry Meter as the Chevrolet Offensive and Defensive Players of the Game.

Michigan tailback Harlan Huckleby also rushed effectively in the second half, finishing the game with 107 yards on 22 carries.

In addition to the two interceptions, Michigan also blocked a punt and a field goal and recovered three Notre Dame fumbles for a total of five turnovers.

An earlier attempt by Michigan to take the lead was thwarted when Leach's pass from the one-yard line was intercepted in the end zone.

Tailback Harlan Huckleby rushed for 98 yards to lead the Michigan offense, while linebacker Ron Simpkins led the defense with 15 solo tackles and an assist.

In his first game, freshman Butch Woolfolk played the second half in place of Huckleby and gained 32 yards on six carries.

In three quarters of play, Michigan quarterback Rick Leach completed nine of 13 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns (two to Ralph Clayton, one to Doug Marsh).

Freshman tailback Butch Woolfolk, in his second game and first start for Michigan, gained 131 rushing yards on 23 carries, including a 49-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Michigan also ran a fake punt with Russell Davis taking the snap and running for a 24-yard gain in the first quarter.

After the game, Iowa Coach Bob Commings said: "I really thought our pass coverage was adequate but he had all day to throw the ball .

[23] On Michigan's first possession, the Wolverines drove 68 yards, capped by a 11-yard touchdown pass from Rick Leach to Ralph Clayton.

On the next possession, Michigan intercepted a pass from Purdue quarterback Mark Herrmann and kicked a field goal for a 10–0 lead.

Ohio State's Bob Atha kicked a field goal late in the first quarter for the Buckeyes' only score in the game.

Michigan responded with a four-play, 70-yard drive that took only 59 seconds off the clock and ended with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Rick Leach to Rodney Feaster.

[25] Michigan's defense tightened in the second half, limiting the Buckeyes (ranked fifth nationally in scoring offense prior to the game) to only one first down.

With 3:15 remaining in the game, Mike Jolly intercepted Schlichter's pass near midfield as the Buckeyes tried to mount a comeback.

"[25] Woody Hayes, in his post-game press conference, became enraged when a columnist from the Chicago Tribune asked if he was aware that his teams had not scored a touchdown against Michigan in the last three games.

USC took advantage of the turnover, scoring on a nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Paul McDonald to Hoby Brenner.

[27][28] With less than 20 second remaining in the first half, Leach threw a pass downfield that was intercepted by Dennis Smith and returned to the Michigan 31-yard line.