It's time for the Andymanathon so fire up those phones, dial 614 221-1025 and request your favorite Colin Gawel or Watershed song!
Or text -- Request Still Love Xmas (or whatever song) to: 68683
so the number is : 68683 and the message has to start with: Request
Do it often.
Pencilstorm contributor Rob Braithwaite is watching 366 movies this year, so you don't have to: Here is part thirteen of his continuing 2016 rundown......
Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index
Ratings key:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ = I can’t see giving anything that I’ve seen once five stars
★ ★ ★ ★ = get to the theater / move it up in your queue
★ ★ ★ = “three stars is a recommendation” - The Empire [magazine] Podcast
★ ★ = if the remote is too far away, you could do worse
★ = if the remote is too far away, get someone to move it closer then throw it at the TV
288
Hateship Loveship (2013) ★ ★ ★
stars: Kristen Wiig, Guy Pearce, Haliee Steinfeld
director: Liza Johnson
Sabitha plays the part of evil Cyrano de Bergerac between her addict father and new housekeeper.
This has to be the most awkward love story I’ve ever seen. It’s sweet in its way. A fairy tale for misfits.
Wear your patient pants. The movie is in no hurry.
double feature pairing: You Can Count on Me
289
The Blob (1988) ★ ★ ★
stars: Shawnee Smith, Kevin Dillon, Donovan Leitch Jr
director: Chuck Russell
A blob of stuff eats its way through a small town.
*sigh* hooray. the government is here. we are saved.
Some impressive special effects mix with ones that remind you of the original.
double feature pairing: The Absent Minded Professor
290
Slums of Beverly Hills (1998) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Natasha Lyonne, Alan Arkin, Marisa Tomei
writer/director: Tamara Jenkins
Vivian is in desperate need of a mother figure. Thanks to her scheming father, her older cousin comes to live with them and her two brothers.
I liked it a lot.
double feature pairing: Little Miss Sunshine
291
Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) ★ ★ ★
stars: Lin Shaye, Stefanie Scott, Dermot Mulroney
director: Leigh Whannell
It’s the story we all wanted! How did that amazing ghost busting team from Insidious 1 come together?
[LOUD NOISE]
This is a pretty typical demon possession tale. [LOUD NOISE] Insidious has learned a lesson from The Conjuring. The victim isn’t the series thread; it’s the medium. The next movie can be about anyone anywhere. As long as you get Lin Shaye and the other two, Insidious can go forever.
Anyway, the movie is fine. Much better then the second one. But it relies too much on jump scares instead of creating actual horror or suspense.
double feature pairing: Rear Window
[LOUD NOISE]
292
Night Owls (2015) ★ ★.5
stars: Rosa Salazar, Adam Pally, Rob Huebel
director: Charles Hood
A one-night stand becomes an all-night nightmare for Kevin when he learns that the girl is his boss’s jilted mistress.
The power dynamic shifts in interesting ways. The leads are really good. …uh, I rated this when I saw it. Now that I’m writing about it weeks later I can’t remember why I edged it just under a recommendation.
[LOUD NOISE]
Maybe it was for one too many contrivances. Maybe because I thought it was fine but not good enough. Well, I’m sure it was for a reason.
watch The Apartment instead
293
Submarine (2010) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Craig Roberts, Yasmin Paige, Paddy Considine
director: Richard Ayoade
Oliver navigates his first romantic relationship as his parents’ marriage is threatened.
Humorous and highly enjoyable. The original songs were written by Alex Turner, lead singer of Arctic Monkeys.
double feature paring: Magnolia
294
Wild Bill (1995) ★ ★ ★
stars: Jeff Bridges, Ellen Barkin, David Arquette
director: Walter Hill
After a life of legend, Wild Bill Hickok settles in Deadwood.
The movie is bookended by one of my most hated narrative devices: folks ‘memberin’ things by a grave. To make it even worse, it sets up an unsure color pattern. The current scenes are in black and white. When folks get to spinnin’ a yarn, you’d think color’s a’comin’. Nope. Still black and white. It’s only when it flash forwards from the flashback, but not so far as to return to the grave site, does it become color. Take out the unnecessary bookends and there isn’t a problem.
One of the source materials was Thomas Babe’s play Fathers and Sons. The last third feels like a play. It’s unique for the genre.
double feature paring: Drugstore Cowboy
295
The Take (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: Idris Elba, Richard Madden, Charlotte Le Bon
director: James Watkins
A CIA agent teams up with a pickpocket to thwart a terrorist attack in France.
A very familiar action thriller that doesn’t ask much from itself or the viewer.
watch Die Hard with a Vengeance instead
296
The Meddler (2015) ★ ★ ★
stars: Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne, J.K. Simmons
director: Lorene Scafaria
Marnie moves to L.A. after her husband dies to be closer to her daughter. A little too close for her daughter’s taste.
Grieving takes many forms. Some busy themselves with others. Some need time to breathe on their own.
There is a conversation that hilariously takes a shot at my biggest pet peeve in the movie world: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, the needless title change to make all the Indiana Jones movies, I don’t know, start with “Indiana Jones”? True, the title remains the same within the movie — only the video cases were changed from Raiders of the Lost Ark to a title that incorrectly separates Indy from the other raiders — but it still burns my bacon when I see it. (and I’ve gotten over the Star Wars prequels.)
double feature pairing: Mother
297
Trumbo (2015) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren
director: Jay Roach
Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo is arrested for being a Communist then blacklisted from working for 10 years.
I originally stayed away from this because of the trailer. A movie about the movies in time for Oscar consideration with Bryan Cranston affecting a distracting accent? Pass. I was wrong. It’s well done despite too many speeches belaboring the point in the end. And that accent? Well, every other person is talking funny so it isn’t that distracting.
double feature pairing: Matinee
298
Rio Bravo (1959) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson
director: Howard Hawks
Bad guys aim to break their fellow bad guy out of jail. The sheriff is set against it. Luckily a drunk, an old man and a teen idol have his back.
Angie Dickinson, once again, plays “the girl” with very little consequence to the story. It’s a classic western in that respect and many others.
double feature paring: Assault on Precinct 13
299
Drillbit Taylor (2008) ★ ★ ★
stars: Owen Wilson, Nate Hartly, Troy Gentile
director: Steven Brill
Three high school freshmen post an add for a bodyguard to protect them from bullies.
It’s a comfortable formulaic comedy, perfect for those days when you need something light and undemanding. There’s a nice My Bodyguard reference, and I wonder how many people got it.
double feature pairing: The Professional
300
The American Friend (1977) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Bruno Ganz, Dennis Hopper, Lisa Kreuzer
director: Wim Wenders
An American dealer of forged art ropes a German frame maker into the world of contract killing.
This isn’t the non-stop pulse pounder the American remake would have been. It’s much more delicate but not without tension.
I never noticed how alike Dennis Hopper and Owen Wilson could be. Maybe because I watched Drillbit Taylor before this. Hopper’s cowboy hat and his existentially somber mood reminded me of Wilson in The Royal Tennenbaums.
double feature paring: The Matador
301
Clifford (1994) ★ ★
stars: Martin Short, Charles Grodin, Mary Steenburgen
director: Paul Flaherty
A 10 year-old problem child is dumped on his uncle to handle.
Martin Short makes me laugh. So does Charles Grodin. Short’s kid schtick is wasted on a bad script. And Grodin is phoning in a terrible Charles Grodin impression. All the yelling…
watch Cabin Boy instead
302
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Colin Farrell
director: David Yates
Magic, magic everywhere! oh, and the wonder!
I liked it more than any of the Harry Potter movies*.
*not a big fan of the Harry Potter movies.
double feature paring: The Manchurian Candidate
303
Monster (2003) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern
writer/director: Patty Jenkins
The dramatization of Aileen Wuornos’ murder spree is handled with compassion and understanding without excusing her murderous actions.
double feature pairing: Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
304
The Counterfeiters (2007) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Karl Markovics, August Diehl, Devid Striesow
director: Stefan Ruzowitzky
Imprisoned in a German concentration camp, a Jewish forger is enlisted for Operation: Bernhard, which became the largest money counterfeiting operation in history.
An incredible story that explores the line between resistance and survival.
double feature pairing: To Live and Die in L.A.
305
War Dogs (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Miles Teller, Jonah Hill, Bradley Cooper
director: Todd Phillips
A couple of bros become gun brokers for the U.S. government.
The trailer leans heavy on the humor element. The overall tone is much more dramatic. The narration and editing is under the influence of Goodfellas.
double feature pairing: The Wolf of Wall Street
306
Ratcatcher (1999) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: William Eadie, Mandy Matthews, Tommy Flanagan
writer/director: Lynne Ramsay
A slice-of-life tale during Glasgow’s garbage strike in 1973. James tries to make the best of his diseased environment and dreams of something better.
Absolutely heartbreaking.
double feature pairing: Mousehunt
307
Sour Grapes (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: wine snobs, con men, federal agents
directors: Reuben Atlas, Jerry Rothwell
A bunch of snooty ascots are swindled by a con man selling fake wine.
Wine snobs are the most insufferable people. Maybe I mock what I don’t care about. But, good god, they are the worst.
The movie does a good job of showing how con man Rudy Kurniawan charmed people and the system into accepting his forgeries. However, it doesn’t seem to have a strong grasp on how his operation worked. Connections are made, but the presentation isn’t confident.
watch My Kid Could Paint That instead
308
The Frontier (2015) ★ ★.5
stars: Jocelin Donahue, Jim Beaver, Kelly Lynch
director: Oren Shai
Stop me if you’ve heard this one: two crime noir stories walk into a diner…
Both are played effectively suspenseful in the beginning. Then there are questionable events. Then the contrivances become too much to overlook. Still, it was almost great.
watch Blood Simple instead
309
Evolution (2015) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Max Brebant, Roxane Duran, Julie-Marie Parmentier
director: Lucile Hadzihalilovic
There is an island of women and preteen boys.
I have no other way of describing the plot that wouldn’t ruin your discovery of a story that could be categorized as science fiction, maybe even biological horror. It’s largely absent of dialogue, an incredible display of visual storytelling. If there was a loop of the first several minutes, I don’t think I’d have another anxious day in my life.
double feature pairing: Under the Skin
310
Central Intelligence (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Amy Ryan
director: Rawson Marshall Thurber
Old schoolmates reunite for some secret agent shenanigans.
Funny is as The Rock and Kevin Hart does.
double feature pairing: The Nude Bomb
311
After the Wedding (2006) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Mads Mikkelsen, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Rolf Lassgård
director: Susanne Bier
Jacob manages a struggling orphanage in India. He travels to Denmark to meet a potential investor. He couldn’t imagine how his life is about to change.
Wonderfully acted. Emotionally complex.
double feature pairing: The Deer Hunter
312
The Fan (1981) ★ ★.5
stars: Lauren Bacall, Michael Biehn, James Garner
director: Ed Bianchi
There’s a guy who likes a Broadway actress a little too much. Muderously too much.
Good for its day. But what captured my attention was the deranged fan’s letter writing campaign. He’d write letters. Her secretary would respond in kind, until she ignores them. The more agitated he became, the more his understanding of how the post office works would slip away. One letter said that if he didn’t receive a response by tomorrow… Tomorrow? So he mails it that day. And let’s say the letter is received the next day, aka: tomorrow. The best scenario is that the secretary isn’t swamped and could immediately respond. If she gets that letter posted in time, and the New York City postal service can get a regular letter delivered next day… we’re talking the day after tomorrow, at best! Sometimes when you go crazy, reason goes with you.
watch Play Misty for Me instead
313
Allied (2016) ★ ★
stars: Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Jared Harris
director: Robert Zemeckis
Two spies fall in love during World War Two. One spy might be a spy.
If you’ve seen the trailer, or read those two lines, there is nothing in this movie to see but the resolution. And even that isn’t interesting.
watch Mr. & Mrs. Smith instead
314
The Edge of Seventeen (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Haliee Steinfeld, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner
writer/director: Kelly Fremon Craig
A socially awkward teen spins a little more out of control when her only friend starts dating her bother.
It’s great.
double feature pairing: Wonder Boys
Counters:
314/366 movies (21 movies off pace)
46/52 movies directed by women
TOP THREE
Colin: Where does this rank in the all-time OSU v Michigan match-ups?
Baver: The Ten Year War saw unbeaten, untied OSU & UM teams face each other in ‘70, ‘73, and ‘75. Then you had the #1 vs #2 match-up of unbeatens in 2006. Does it rank up there with those games? Ask me after we know the outcome of The Game tomorrow, LOL.
Colin: What is the best-case scenario for Ohio State in this game?
Baver: 1) Ideal weather conditions; 2) JT Barrett clicking with his WR’s and getting Ohio State’s vertical passing game in gear. 3) The OSU defense completely shutting down De’Veon Smith and Chris Evans; thus, leaving it up to O’Korn or Speight having to beat Ohio State, the nation’s leader in pass defense efficiency, through the air. 4) Mike Weber letting loose.
Colin: What is the worst-case scenario for the Buckeyes?
Baver: 1) The weather unexpectedly turning bad; 2) UM’s offense hitting the Bucks with several big plays, similar to the way Sparty did this past Saturday; 3) Jabrill Peppers having a Charles Woodson kind of game. 4) The turnover margin favoring Michigan to the tune of +2 or better.
Colin: What is your best guess, realistic scenario for this game?
Baver: With expected mild November weather, I think the Buckeye offense will probably have more success against the vaunted UM defense than most are expecting. I think JT bounces back, and throws the ball much better tomorrow. And I think it will be tough sledding for a UM offense that will likely be missing Wilton Speight. But I think we’ll see a tight game headed into the 4th quarter. Then, I foresee Urban Meyer and this Buckeye team doing what they usually do in tight games….making big plays late and getting it done.
Colin: Which Wolverine should the Buckeyes fear?
Baver: Buckeye fans are probably sick of hearing this, but it’s Jabrill Peppers, far and away. Is he Heisman-worthy? Probably not, but if Michigan is to break the Buckeye jinx, he will have a big part in the upset. I think he worries me most on punt returns, but he also has 16 tackles for losses on the season, which is pretty crazy.
Colin: Which Buckeye should SCuM fear?
Baver: JT Barrett. Everybody and their brother and sister, myself included, has commented about his inaccuracy this year, and I am guessing UM will underestimate him. As I mentioned, the weather conditions for Saturday look to be mild for late November, and my guess is that JT brings it tomorrow…with his legs and his arm. If he does, Michigan does not win this game.
Colin: What is your favorite Dead Schembechler song?
Baver: “Chad Henne”, without a doubt. Seems like yesterday, the entire crowd at the Newport sang the backup vocals on that one in November 2006. Can’t believe it’s been 10 years. “I Hate Michigan” comes in at #2. Classics.
Colin: Will you be watching any other games this weekend? And give us an update on your picks.
Baver: Not a good year outside of Buckeye games (18-19-1 overall), but I continue to have the pulse on the Buckeyes. I’m 8-3 on the season, 18-6 over the last two seasons, and 26-12-1 picking OSU games against the spread over the last three seasons. I have spent the whole week obsessing about The Game and haven’t dove into Vegas spreads yet on any other game. I’d probably stay away from betting this one, but having to make a call, I’ll take the Bucks laying the 6 ½. Urban lives for big games and I stopped doubting him in marquee matchups after the Bama upset in the 2014 Playoff. The call: Ohio State 27 Michigan 17.
follow @bigvinvader
1) So explain who is battling and why is this different than previous Survivor Series?
The majority of the matches are the traditional Survivor Series Elimination matches. This year round things are different due to the brand split, which pits the wrestlers on RAW against the SmackDown roster. First up are the men’s teams, with Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, Braun Strowman, Chris Jericho, and Roman Reigns representing RAW. Team SmackDown is composed of AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, and Shane McMahon.
The women’s teams are: Charlotte, Bayley, Nia Jax, Sasha Banks, and Alicia Fox representing RAW. SmackDown has Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, Nikki Bella, Naomi and Carmella in its corner.
The final Elimination match is the Tag Teams. RAW has The New Day, Gallows & Anderson, Sheamus & Cesaro, Enzo & Cass, and the Shining Stars. SmackDown’s team features American Alpha, Rhyno & Heath Slater, The Hype Bros, Breezango, and the Usos.
The singles matches sound even more interesting, with Brian Kendrick (RAW) defending the Cruiserweight title against Kalisto (SmackDown). SmackDown’s The Miz is set to defend his recently-regained Intercontinental belt against RAW’s Sami Zayn. And the big marquee match, of course, is Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar.
This year’s Survivor Series is different for a number of reasons. Mainly, the pitting of each brand against one another stands out. WWE has been playing up some imagined rivalry between the two programs, but with the realization of these matches, things are finally being demonstrated physically. There’s also the notability of Goldberg’s return to the WWE for the first time in over a decade, which places even higher stakes on his rematch with Brock Lesnar. The fact that each brand has a title on the line, and could lose a belt to their rival brand is pretty significant. Also, the whole thing is scheduled for four hours, which is usually reserved for the Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, and Summer Slam.
2) What is at stake for each team and some of the individuals?
The biggest stakes are the bragging rights/supposed superiority of one brand over the other. Interestingly, no world or universal titles are at stake on the card, which keeps the focus on the RAW vs. SmackDown rivalry rather than any brand-specific contenders to titles. This whole idea finally gives some weight to the idea that the brands are in competition, and are physically settling the matter in a ring. Also worth considering is the total shaking up of the face-heel dynamic achieved by pitting oppositely-aligned rivals (especially Sasha and Charlotte) on the same teams in the name of brand representation. We’ve seen conflicts between team members in the past, and now that sworn rivals are forced to cooperate against a supposedly common foe, it’ll be interesting to see how the wrestlers work together.
The biggest stakes, however, rest on the singles matches. Firstly, the Cruiserweight and Intercontinental titles stand a chance of switching brands, which could alter each’s program’s roster and overall presentation. The Miz winning back the IC belt was a surprise, and it seems like they really want to keep it on him. However, RAW wouldn’t be undeserving of the title, and Sami Zayn is exactly the type of performer who would benefit from the win. Zayn is incredible in the ring, and is exactly the type of wrestler the belt used to help: not main event status, but an impressive mid-card worker. Plus, he hasn’t won any titles since making it to the main roster, which stands at odds with his NXT credentials.
The Cruiserweight match is similar, especially with the threat of the title changing brands. There was debate that the division should have started on SmackDown, and that’s hard to argue with, given the back-seat treatment it’s been given on RAW. This would be a good opportunity to switch things up and give the cruiserweights the chance to shine. SmackDown has the thinner roster of the two brands, so it would be a wise move overall to move things over to them.
Goldberg vs. Lesnar is a mixed bag. Goldberg’s return has been teased for months, and anytime Lesnar gets in the ring the company makes a huge deal out of it. So this is actually a huge marquee match. The problems lie in its build-up, which has only been a few weeks. They could have taken time to ratchet up the anticipation, but a quick payoff seems more in line. Also, their previous match at Wrestlemania XX was abysmal (words really can’t sum it up), so you have to wonder how they’ll handle that knowledge. It’s a huge draw, and should be worth watching, but something just doesn’t feel right about the whole thing, especially if this is a one-off for Goldberg as has been rumored.
3) Will this have any impact on the Wrestlemania Card?
The build to Wrestlemania has definitely already started, and there are a number of things to pay attention to here. First is the Undertaker’s return on the SmackDown go-home show, which definitely starts the build to his next opponent (if he’s to be featured at all). Plus, there’s the chance that he’ll make an appearance at the PPV Sunday.
There are also rumors that the company is planning to kick a major storyline into motion at Survivor Series, which undoubtedly seems like a nod to the biggest event of the year. People have been saying that Lesnar’s Wrestlemania opponent has been locked-in for some time, so maybe we’ll finally get an inkling of who that specifically is. Maybe Goldberg’s return will be revealed as more than a one-time thing, and that potential Undertaker match could take place.
If either the Crusierweight or IC belt were to change hands, it seems likely that a long-term rivalry between brands to regain their “rightful” property would be set in motion. What better place to settle that dispute than at Wrestlemania?
Less concrete is the idea that among the brand-specific teams there’s likely to be continuing animosity. So any mistake or wrong move could set a new feud into motion or prolong a current one, possibly into the Wrestlemania season.
Follow @northcoastposse. The NCP are a top five Browns twitter follow
With Big$ out completing his community service this week, K-Dubs, the Soldier responds to the Browns call for the Dawg Pound to "Keep Calm and Bark On."
After its fairly stunning silence during a 0-10 start, the Browns front office held a State-of-the-Team address this week. The team’s executive vice president Sashi Brown met with the beat writers, trying to reassure them that this disappointing season, which has reached lows previously unseen in franchise history, is simply a part of “The Process.” Sashi told us the culture truly is changing in Berea and that soon the world will witness the resurrection of the Browns. Coach Hue Jackson echoed that sentiment this week, admonishing other teams to get their licks in now, because the Browns are going to be Kings of North soon. What else could they say? Sure, nobody expected to be winless, yada yada, but evolution is afoot. It was all monotone platitudes, and while I listened, I recalled Dana Carvey’s impression of President George H.W. Bush: “Stay the course. A thousand points of light. Stay the course.”
Here is a response to this banality from a proud member of the Dawg Pound: Excuse my doubt, but what the hell am I missing?! Of course there was going to be a change of culture from last year. The past few seasons the front office and coaching staff did not [or could not] work together. The result was a team that had a roster with players that did not fit the coach’s system.
Owner Jimmy Haslem responded by creating a completely new structure of governance and placing a focus on finding value players rather than high-priced free agents. No doubt these changes would create a new culture, but the time has long passed to show us what this different and more-cohesive vision means on the field. The defense ranks 31st in yards and points per game and 23rd in sacks. The team has a minus-5 turnover margin, and the offense has an average time-of-possession that is 6:37 minutes less than opponents. How is that for analytics?
When the season started, I was optimistic that we would begin to see some flashes of forthcoming glory for the new, new Browns, even though I was fairly certain that a 5-win season would be a stretch. My outlook persisted after some early-year losses in which the team was generally competitive but came up short in tight games. Things just seem to have gotten worse lately, though. In the second half against the Cowboys two weeks ago, the offense gained just 33 yards in a deflating defeat. Then, last week against the Ravens, they had to call a timeout before the very first play of the game because there were 12 defenders on the field. On the first play! The D then forced a punt and the two returners, Duke Johnson and Joe Haden, ran into each other and nearly fumbled the ball.
When you see things like this it is so hard to maintain hope. Where is this change? To quote recent campaign ads, we're getting "more of the same." I will keep carrying the torch for now, but patience is getting low. So when the Browns kick off at home this Sunday against the Steelers, I will be watching and cheering (and drinking Four String Brewing’s Skeleton Red Rye IPA). What else can I say?
So what are the keys to victory this week?:
The Browns are going to be playing two opponents on Sunday, Pittsburgh and the weather. The forecast for kickoff is 35 degrees with a chance of rain and flurries, and wind gusts up to 50 mph! This may cause havoc for Browns QB Cody Kessler, whose arm is not the strongest. Coach Jackson pulled Kessler out against the Ravens because he was not pushing the ball down field, but in this wind, I imagine keeping routes short may serve the team better. Cleveland may have a better chance to get the ground game going against the Steelers, too, because DE and former Buckeye standout Cam Heyward is out with a torn pectoral muscle. The offense needs to get Isaiah Crowell running downhill to eat up some clock and keep the ball away from Ben Roethlisberger. The harsh winds will also likely cause problems in the kicking game, so field position will be at a premium this week.
Speaking of Big Ben, he did miss a game last month with a torn meniscus, and hopefully that injury, coupled with the harsh lakefront weather, will limit his mobility this week. He is not known as a runner obviously, as he resembles a competitive eater more than he does a track star, but he is one of the all-time greats at avoiding sacks and keeping plays alive by scrambling. If the Browns really want to exhibit a change in culture, getting some sacks and putting opponents in 3rd-and-long situations more often would certainly help. Recently acquired OLB Jamie Collins will have another week of practice in this system under his belt, too, and he is a playmaker that should help the Browns improve its 3rd-down conversion rate, which is 50 percent for the year.
Of course, there is another force of nature at play in all-world wideout Antonio Brown. Over the years, he has had huge games against Haden, much like he has against every other DB in the league. He is probably going to get his catches and yards this Sunday. Cleveland’s chances of winning are tied then to how well the team contains all the other playmakers for Pittsburgh. They need to limit yards-after-contact for RB La’Veon Bell, who is also a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield (45 rec., 360 yds.), and keep the ball away from the tight ends, which have killed the Browns this year. If they can pull it all together, a win over the hated Steelers would be a rare bright spot in The Process.
Colin: Let's start with the million-dollar question, if the Buckeyes win out, no matter how they do it, will they make the playoff?
Baver: In all likelihood….yes. ESPN’s FPI ratings and corresponding probability factors give Ohio State only a 9% chance of winning the Big Ten. Yet, the sportsbooks now have OSU’s chances to win the Nat’l Title at anywhere from 2-1 to 3-1, second only to Bama, while those two teams have significantly better odds to win it all than any other team. And Fivethirtyeight calculates OSU chances of making the playoff at 54%. What’s that tell you? It tells you that those factoring the odds/probabilities fully expect the Committee to select an 11-1 Ohio State team in their final Top 4 rating, even without playing in the B1G title game.
But never say never….the books that took action on the presidential election had it more lopsided than the polls did….and of course the polls, the books, and the stock market traders were all dead wrong.
Colin: How shocked were you that Michigan lost? I missed most of it. What happened? They came in on a roll.
Baver: It doesn’t surprise me that the game was close, but I figured that Michigan would force their will on Iowa if the game were tight in the 4th quarter. Michigan had left their state only once prior to last Saturday, playing a horrendous Rutgers team in Piscataway. Kinnick Stadium can be a tough place to play, and mediocre Ferentz-led Iowa teams can still be pesky. Michigan’s downfall? What some thought was the best defense in the country couldn’t contain Akrum Wadley, who had 167 combined yds from scrimmage. And the Iowa defense that got shredded by Saquon Barkley and PSU held the UM rushing attack under 100 net yards.
Colin: Along those lines, this is going to make me sound like a drooling Dispatch mailbox hater, but I wasn't completely impressed with OSU against Maryland. Yes, we did win 62-3, but the passing game still seemed like it needed an extra second to develop. That extra second disappears against better defenses. Are you convinced this passing game has turned the corner?
Baver: It’s turned “a” corner, but not sure it’s turned “thee” corner. Barrett is simply not throwing the ball like he once did. Now, he does just about everything else well, but accuracy is definitely a problem. I do like KJ Hill and Binjimen Victor, and the progress they are making. And the O-line has raised their collective game since the Penn State debacle; that has definitely helping the Buckeye aerial attack.
Colin: Are the Silver Bullets getting the respect they deserve on D?
Baver: No. More on that in a second.
Colin: Ending the season again with MSU and Michigan blows. No matter what their record, I just can't believe Sparty and company won't play way over their heads on Senior Day. Your thoughts?
Baver: I’m concerned…that’s for sure. I think MSU will indeed play one of their better games of the year, but the way Schiano has this defense playing, I find it hard to see Sparty putting many points on the board. And Urban should have his guys in the right mind frame after last year’s devastating loss. I’ll pass on making a score prediction with potential bad weather in store for Saturday in East Lansing, but I see a low scoring game with the Bucks winning by a couple TD’s. If the weather is horrible, then it might be tighter.
Colin: Does the noon kick help or hurt the Buckeyes?
Baver: This will be Sparty’s fifth straight noon kick, and the Bucks haven’t had a noon kick since October 1st. I think that answers your question.
Colin: What other games and lines will you be keeping an eye on this week and give us an update on your picks to date?
Baver: 7-3 against the spread on OSU, hitting 7 of the last 8…I’ve had a good pulse on the Buckeyes from a Vegas standpoint for the 3rd straight year. But I still can’t break out of the slump with non-Buckeye games….I’m 15-18-1 ATS overall, which includes the OSU games. I mentioned a two-TD game or maybe less, so while I think Urban and his boys get revenge on Sparty, I think MSU plus the 22 is the play there. I really like West Virginia getting points (3 ½) at home vs Oklahoma, as the ‘Eers have finally made a believer out of me. I also like a rejuvenated Stanford team laying 11 at Cal. And I think 13 ½ isn’t enough pts in the Maryland-Nebraska game; I like the Huskers to cover in Lincoln.
