By: Dalton Potocki

As the year comes to a close, it only makes sense that I give out my 2016 Media Awards. I realize my opinion carries a lot of weight in the media industry so any type of revenue increase that is caused by these awards, I would like a portion of those. All of these are supposed to be “If you haven't seen/listened yet you should” type of awards. Without further adieu, the 2016 DP Media Awards:

• Best Movie: “Gimme Danger”

    Gotta start this by saying I’ve seen 3 movies in theaters this year and this one was head and shoulders above the rest. The bio-pic about The Stooges was excellent. It talked about how they came to rock-n-roll fame in the 60’s and how they were never really respected in the music industry. It’s a must watch for anyone who is a fan of rock.

• Best Song: “Closer” by The Chainsmokers

    This was the easiest of all awards. Song is an absolute heater. Couldn’t escape it for like 2 months and I was perfectly fine with it. Whenever it comes on at the bar, there is just a different feel. Words are easy to remember, fun to sing along with, and helped normalize mattress-stealing culture. A much needed song for everyone.

• Best TV Show (Cable): “The People vs OJ Simpson” on FX

    This award was maybe the hardest of the awards. I had it down to three shows. OJ, Always Sunny, and Better Call Saul. While the new season of Always Sunny was funny, it wasn't their best and Better Call Saul is extremely interesting on a week to week basic but it moves a little slow. Those factors combined with the fact that OJ was the first docudrama about the most fascinating crime in American history. People liked to hate on it because of the actors but since I’m all about honesty, I thought that John Travolta did a good job as Shapiro. Cuba Gooding could have done a better job looking like OJ i.e. lifting a weight but considering how it rekindled the nation’s interest in something that happened like 20+ years ago, it wins this award.
    

• Best TV Show (Not Cable): “Westworld” on HBO

    It could be my affinity for Western themed shows but West World was an absolute masterpiece. Multiple storylines, interesting characters, beautiful scenery, and A+ acting. There was absolutely not one thing that could have been done better. Disclaimer: You really have to pay attention to it or you will get lost, this isn't one of those shows you can watch while scrolling on your phone. I’m not gonna go into because it's still relatively new I don’t want to be the guy who spoils it for ya. Just go watch it. You will not be disappointed.

• Best Podcast: “Pardon My Take” by Barstool Sports

Constant laughs for anyone who is even remotely follows sports. As they did more shows they have gotten better at interviews and are getting bigger and better celebrities all the time. Their segments are always something to look forward too. They include “Locker Room Talk with Lenny Dykstra”, “PR 101”, and “I just did soul-cycle so listen to me eat chips”. Jump on now while they are on break and listen to their entire catalog.
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• Best Video Game: Rocket League

    I don’t even know if this game came out in 2016 but it’s that good. What is Rocket League? Cars playing soccer. Sounds dumb but it is probably my favorite sports game right now and has been for most of 2016.
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• Best Radio Station Sports Department: WCBN 88.3 FM Ann Arbor

    C’mon. Thats easy.

By: Leo Blavin
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- On the eve of Michigan's thirteenth and final game of the 2016 season the mood around this team's fan base is one of anxiety more than celebration. The Wolverines entered the season as a favorite to not only win the Big Ten, but the national championship as well. After finishing the season losing two of their last three games, the excitement around this year's team has dissipated. An appearance in a New Year's six bowl game is normally celebrated at a school that has failed to reach a BCS/NY6 bowl game since 2011, but given the hype that was built up throught the summer and followed this team into November, Michigan must now try to avoid losing three of their last four games. The 2016 version of Michigan football can still finish the year improving upon the 10-win output produced a season ago, however a loss in the Orange Bowl to Florida State, will leave a sour taste in the mouths of the Maize and Blue faithful. 

An improvement from one season to the next is easy to accept when you jump from ten wins to eleven, however two straight ten win seasons while your archrival competes in the playoff for the second time in three years will only widen the gap between Michigan and Ohio State. Michigan's fanbase is desperate for progress and there is only so much Wolverine fans can glean from improving the margin of defeat to Ohio State. When Jim Harbaugh was hired two years ago, the expectation was Michigan would return to national relevance and competitiveness. The Wolverines continue to dominate the headlines, but have yet to finish in the top two of the Big Ten's East Division and the cupboard is supposedly bare heading into next season. It's hard to imagine Michigan will be in a position to reach the College Football Playoff in late November of 2017. That's what increased the sense of deflation when Michigan fell to Ohio State. Again. This was the year.

If Michigan can take care of business against the Seminoles, this season will still end on a high note. However a loss will force the returning players to do a lot of soul searching this offseason. This was supposed to be Ohio State's down year after losing a plethora of superstars to the National Football League. They're back in the playoff despite their lack of experience in key positions. Alabama is a revolving door to the NFL and stays competitive regardless of experience at any position. Clemson has reached the Playoff in back to back years. The powerhouse programs in college football aren't going anywhere. Michigan has to catch up rather than hope other teams fall back to them. The current gap between Michigan and the Nation's elite is extremely slim right now, but a loss to Florida State will make that gap feel much wider. Florida State is a blue blood program. This is their sixth straight BCS/NY6 bowl game. Only Alabama has matched that production. 

Friday night's Orange Bowl won't salvage Michigan's chances of fulfilling lofty preseason expectations. However, it can provide the momentum needed to sustain the current upward trajectory of the program. Jim Harbaugh is trying to build something very special at his alma mater. Tomorrow night's result will provide a good indication of just how far Michigan has come in two years under Harbaugh.  A win and Michigan will head into next season with confidence and a belief that they belong among the college football elite once again. A loss and Michigan fans will fear that next year's looming regression, in terms of wins and losses, will set the Wolverines back even further in the college football pecking order. Friday night's Orange Bowl is a true benchmark game.

​It's time for Michigan to make a statement that the Wolverines aren't going anywhere and belong in the conversation with Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, and Florida State among the nation's best. Three losses in their last four games and I'm not sure how optimistic Michigan fans should feel about the direction of the program. This current team is as talented as you could ask for. Harbaugh will keep the roster overflowing with talent. Sometimes the breaks go a team's way. That was not the case for Michigan this year. There is no gurantee Michigan will ever benefit from poor officiating or a fortunate bounce of the pigskin. The beauty of Michigan's Citrus Bowl performance last year was that it left no doubt this program was headed in the right direction. A similar performance against a very good Florida State team will put the curent top teams on notice. A loss and the doubt around Harbaugh's rebuilding efforts will amplify. There will always be doubters, but Michigan will aim to silence them heading into 2017. 

By: Tim Barnum & Dalton Potocki

Dalton: Dallas has locked up the NFC East and homefield throughout the playoffs. They are gonna rest their starters right?

Tim: Hopefully for at least some of the game. Of course that might lead to Romo coming in, playing like he was able to when he was at his best, leading the Cowboys to a huge night (and win), and then causing a QB controversy and the typical Dallas dysfunction, just in time for the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Lions wouldn’t be able to cash in on any of this. Awesome! Really though, I think they’ll play Dak and Zeke for at least half of the game. It’d be nice if they’d rest their O-line, too. That would be the real treat.

Dalton: Slay is doubtful for the game, if Green Bay loses should he play to try to clinch this week or should he save himself for Week 17?

Tim: One underrated aspect about playing on Monday night is you know how everything else played out during the week, so you can make decisions like this. I’d like to see Detroit clinch sooner rather than later, so if he can go and slow down Dez Bryant, do it. It’s a tough call, though, because I have a feeling the week 17 game is the one that will matter more.

Dalton: Is the Stafford MVP talk over after the performance he put forth in New York?

Tim: Look, people. Stafford has led many fourth quarter drives that led to wins, it’s true. Would all of those drives be as lauded if it weren’t for Matt Prater blasting deep field goals, though? No. Stafford has also thrown fewer picks this year, at least so far. That’s true as well. And we must remember that his leadership is more effective than ever, because in week one he yelled at receivers to get out of bounds. The clutch drives, decrease in interceptions and vocal leadership are all good things. I will not dispute that. In the words of the angry muppet Stephen A. Smith, though, HOWEVAH, this is not a career year for Matthew Stafford. TO be honest, it’s not even close. In 2011, when the Lions went 10-6, which could actually be a better record than they end up with this year, Stafford threw 41 touchdowns and cleared 5,000 yards. Unfortunately Drew Brees almost go to 5,500 yards and Tom Brady cleared 5,200 yards, so Stafford was an “also ran,” that year. His touchdown to interception ratio wasn’t as high that year as it looks like it will be this year (keywords: looks like - there are two games left), but those are numbers many quarterbacks have never touched, especially the 5,000-yard mark. So by my metrics, which mean two things (jack and shit), I never really thought Stafford was having a “career year” let alone a MVP-caliber season. Now, no quarterback is having a year as good as Brees, Brady or Stafford had in 2011. Looking at teams who will likely make the playoffs, Matt Ryan stands out as a frontrunner for MVP. He has more than 4,300 yards, 32 touchdowns and 7 picks as of the time of this writing. Aaron Rodgers is ahead of Stafford in yardage, too, and like Ryan, has 32 touchdowns and 7 INTs. You know that if there’s a chance to give him the MVP trophy, they’ll do it. I love Matt Stafford and will admit he’s more effective this year, but there’s no chance for MVP, especially given the recent circumstances.

Tim: I was at a family Christmas party last weekend and couldn’t watch the game. Sounded awful from what I heard on the radio. What happened? Was that indicative of who the LIons are?

Dalton: The offense was awful. Do I think it was a product of poor play calling/game plan? First, excellent questions and second, absolutely. I think it was really like every game they have played this year besides New Orleans. They were slow all game but had a chance to take the lead in the 4th. They just couldn't get it done this time.


Tim: Which one of the Cowboys standout rookies do the LIons have a better chance of shutting down? Can the Lions break through Dallas’ offensive line?

Dalton: They have a better chance of shutting down Zeke. The reason I say that is the answer to the second question. No, the Lions can’t break through that O-Line. No team has and there is literally no reason to expect a Lions’ pass rush, which has been non-existent, to be able to get after the QB. At least with the run game we can rely on our linebackers to come and stuff the run.
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Tim: I’d like to hear your thoughts on the Cowboys resting starters and if the Lions play Slay. You’re more plugged in to these sorts of topics. What say you?

Dalton: That’s a unique question. I do see the Boys resting Zeke and especially Dak. Jerry Jones would love nothing more than to have Romo come out and light up the Lions. Playing Dallas once every two years and trying to figure out what Jerry Jones will do hurts my brain. I couldn’t imagine being someone that actually covers that team. As for Slay, he should play. If the Lions miss out on the NFC North title, they can still get into the playoffs via Wild Card. If they beat Dallas, then they would hold the tiebreaker over the Tampa Bay Bucs.  

Predictions:

Tim: I always feel better about the Lions when they’re playing inside. They’ve stepped up throughout the year and I think they can do it again this week. 20-17 Detroit.

Dalton: 23-17 Dallas. This prediction really changes on the outcome of a Saturday game. If Minnesota beats Green Bay, then I think the Lions will reach deep and clinch the division on the road. But, I think that Green Bay wins and the Lions will have their sights set on Week 17.

By: Dalton Potocki

By: The Polish Prince

By: Tim Barnum & Dalton Potocki

By: Anonymous Source

The Polish Prince

By: Tim Barnum & Dalton Potocki

By: The Polish Prince