The 1938 Wayne Tartars football team represented Wayne University (later renamed Wayne State University) as an independent during the 1938 college football season. In their seventh year under head coach Joe Gembis, the Tartars compiled a 2–6 record and were outscored by opponents, 179 to 106. The team defeated Akron (16–0) and Buffalo (35–0), but lost to Michigan State (6–34), Louisville (12–14), Michigan State Normal (7–20), Ohio (7–52), Toledo (20–39), and Central Michigan (3–20).