Yardbarker

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans. You can find him on Twitter/X and Threads at @ericsmithling and at Bluesky at @ericsmithling.bsky.social.

EXPERTISE:

NFL, College Football, NBA, Men's and Women's College Basketball, NHL

Report: Panthers rejected major draft haul from Rams for Brian Burns

The Carolina Panthers' flash sale appears to have ended, with the team rejecting the Los Angeles Rams' advances on defensive end Brian Burns.

Ugly brawl between Michigan State, Michigan latest hit to Mel Tucker, Spartans

After another uninspiring performance, the Spartans did their best to distract from the fact that they are last in the Big Ten East at 3-5 overall and 1-4 in conference.

With Georgia looming, the clock is close to striking midnight for Tennessee

No. 2 Tennessee makes the next stop on its Cinderella run as it heads into a meeting against No. 1 Georgia.

With Bryan Harsin out at Auburn, could Deion Sanders be in?

Auburn fired head coach Bryan Harsin on Monday and immediately speculation began about who would replace him.

Six teams that could cause CFP chaos

LSU, North Carolina, Kansas State and North Carolina walk into the College Football Playoff... No, that isn't the start of a joke.

Alvin Kamara's swagger could be enough for Saints to win NFC South

Kamara said the Saints had to "get back to our swagger" after a 2-5 start.

Watch: Elijah Moore does his best Sue Sylvester impersonation for Halloween

 New York Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore saw this clip of Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester in "Glee" and said, "Goals." The Jets (5-3) lost 22-17 to New England (4-4) and Moore had no catches on one target.

'Game of the Century' set with No. 1 Georgia hosting No. 2 Tennessee

 Associated Press college football poll voters gave this Saturday's game between No. 1 Georgia and No. 2 Tennessee extra juice when they moved the Volunteers up into a tie for second with Ohio State in the latest poll.

Watch: A Minnesota G.O.A.T. rides a horse in ring of honor ceremony

Jared Allen was honored during Minnesota's game Sunday against Arizona as the team added the star defensive end to its Ring of Honor. He arrived on the field in incredible fashion.

Will Tennessee be at No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff ranking?

Entering Saturday's game, Tennessee was averaging 50.1 points and 571.7 yards per game, both best in the country.

No. 2 Ohio State wins thanks to a historic day by defender J.T. Tuimoloau

Tuimoloau finished with two sacks, a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and two interceptions — including one returned for a touchdown that sealed the Buckeyes' comeback win.

Watch: Heroics from Nick Castellanos, J.T. Realmuto complete Phillies' comeback in Game 1

The Fall Classic began with an instant classic. The Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros were tied 5-5 in the bottom in the ninth when it looked like the Astros would walk off with a base hit.

NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins suggests Lakers' are in for a long season

The Lakers are last in the Western Conference after their 111-102 loss to Minnesota (4-2, sixth in Western Conference).

Watch: Donovan Mitchell throws down vicious dunk, combines with Caris Levert for 82 points

The team's great start and Mitchell's 41 points Friday night suggest he is fitting in just fine. 

Watch: Kyle Tucker hits two home runs in first two World Series at-bats

Tucker entered the 2022 World Series with a career .280 batting average in 11 career World Series games.

'Mattress Mack' bets 625 sectionals on the Houston Astros

Jim McIngvale put $10 million -- or the cost of 625 Grandview Leather Sectionals at his furniture store -- down on his hometown Houston Astros to win the World Series.  The Gallery Furniture owner is known as "Mattress Mack" and has used his fortune to bet big on the Astros in the past...

Analysts debate Justin Herbert vs. Tua Tagovailoa

The two have been connected at the hip since they were drafted back-to-back in the 2020 NFL Draft, and they will likely continue to be as long as they're starting in the NFL.

Potential 'MNF' nightmare? Bengals' weak O-line vs. Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney

Down Ja'Marr Chase and facing Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, the Bengals OL faces a big test.

Sinking Bucs may be taking on too much water to win the NFC South

No matter how hard the NFC South wants to hand Tom Brady and Tampa Bay the division on a silver platter, the Bucs are refusing their bounty.  Even with a third consecutive loss, there's a strong belief Tampa Bay will still make the playoffs.

Don't expect a grace period for new Duke HC Jon Scheyer

Scheyer has been a key figure on the Blue Devils' bench since the 2013-14 season, and the program expects that stability to lead to a seamless changing of the guard.

New Orleans Pelicans flying without Brandon Ingram

Ingram (concussion) is set to miss the team's next three games after the team announced he won't fly with the team on their upcoming road trip.

Even if the Lakers get their groove back, it won't matter

If the Los Angeles Lakers achieve their goal of an NBA title, they'll need to do something no other team in NBA history has done. The Lakers' 110-99 loss to the Denver Nuggets Wednesday night may have sealed their fate.

Why two divisions could hog four spots in CFP

The Big Ten and SEC are the powerhouse conferences in college football. They've consolidated that power even more this season.

Saints bench healthy Jameis Winston for PFF's third-best QB

Dennis Allen announced Wednesday that Winston has recovered from his injuries but won't return as the starting quarterback in New Orleans.