Necessary Roughness

Necessary Roughness (1991) is Stan Dragoti's sports comedy, ready to watch online on iFILM. When a Texas university's football program gets caught buying players and faking grades, it loses its stars and scholarships — and has to suit up athletes who actually attend class.

Coaches played by Hector Elizondo and Robert Loggia scrape together a roster from whoever's left: 34-year-old quarterback Paul Blake (Scott Bakula) comes back to finish his eligibility alongside farm boys, nerds and even a female kicker. The team loses badly, week after week, then slowly turns into something resembling a squad. Watch for Sinbad, Rob Schneider and a very young Jason Bateman in the mix.

The movie aims low on purpose — a sturdy underdog comedy from an era that churned these out by the dozen. It's a comfort watch: easy jokes, likeable losers and an ending you'll see coming and enjoy anyway. Stream Necessary Roughness online on iFILM.