Down and Distance

ESPN

ESPN Senior Writer Ivan Maisel tells eight stories from the history of college football that examine how the sport has contributed to and reflected American culture through its 150 years.

Episodes

  1. EPISODE 1

    America Mourns Rockne

    Notre Dame icon Knute Rockne died in a plane crash in 1931. Veteran sportswriter Ivan Maisel tells the story of how the beloved coach served as the vehicle for how we celebrate the lost lives of our national icons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    30 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    Jimmy Johnson And The House of Speed

    ESPN's Ivan Maisel explains how Coach Jimmy Johnson's lifelong reverence for speed transformed not only the Miami Hurricanes - but all of college football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    31 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Michael Vick: A Three-Play Guy

    ESPN's Ivan Maisel explores how redshirt freshman Michael Vick took the world of college football by storm in 1999 and argues that his standout season changed the face of the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    29 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    The Tie that Wasn't

    Ivan Maisel tells the story of the most controversial game in one of college football's greatest rivalries - the 1973 tie between Bo Schembechler's Michigan and Woody Hayes's Ohio State University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    35 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Standing at Armageddon

    Ivan Maisel explores how Pitt's Bobby Grier found himself in an unexpected position in 1956 when he became the first college football player to break the color line in the Deep South. But his appearance in the Sugar Bowl wasn't without controversy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    36 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    The Fall Of Troy

    Ivan Maisel explores how the USC Trojans came within 19 seconds of making college football history with three back to back championships - and then slowly receded from the top. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    32 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    Sooner Sabotage

    Ivan Maisel describes how the greatest dynasty in the modern history of college football came apart one night in 1959. The culprit? Fruit salad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    33 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    We Interrupt This Season

    Ivan Maisel tells the story of two college football teams who found themselves marooned on Oahu on December 7, 1941, the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    32 min

  9. 15/08/2019

    Down & Distance

    ESPN Senior Writer Ivan Maisel tells eight stories from the history of college football that examine how the sport has contributed to and reflected American culture through its 150 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 min

Trailer

Hosts & Guests

About

ESPN Senior Writer Ivan Maisel tells eight stories from the history of college football that examine how the sport has contributed to and reflected American culture through its 150 years.

Information

  • Channel
    ESPN
  • Creator
    ESPN, Ivan Maisel
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025, ESPN. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Down and Distance

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