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

No. 13 TCU takes down No. 8 Oklahoma State in double-OT thriller

Oklahoma State-TCU turned into a thrilling game after it appeared No. 8 Oklahoma State would run away with it when jumping out to a 17-point lead.

No. 6 Tennessee stuns No. 3 Alabama on last-second field goal

The college football world was treated to an incredible show Saturday as No 6. Tennessee defeated No. 3 Alabama for the first time since 2006.

There's no need for Auburn to draw out the Bryan Harsin era anymore

With Saturday's loss at No. 9 Ole Miss, there doesn't seem to be any reason for Auburn to delay the inevitable.

Watch: Alabama HC Nick Saban furious on sideline after special teams turnover

Tennessee scored a quick 28 points not even 20 minutes into the game, the most points a Saban-led team has given up to Tennessee in the 16 games he’s been the Crimson Tide's coach.

Michigan running backs Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards combine for 339 rushing yards in win over Penn State

After spending years stuck in neutral, coach Jim Harbaugh's found a formula that has Michigan back among college football's elite.

Florida, LSU return to Gainesville for first time since shoe toss

 Anything can happen when LSU and Florida meet, including someone throwing a shoe. The last time the two teams met in The Swamp, Florida's Marco Wilson took a page out of the playbook of an Austin Power's villain or a political dissident and threw Kole Taylor's shoe.

Andy Dalton to start against Bengals for third year in a row

He played against the Bengals in 2020 as a member of the Dallas Cowboys and in 2021 as a member of the Chicago Bears. He is 2-0, going 25-of-34 for 241 yards and three touchdowns vs. his former team.

With Mike Norvell floundering at Florida State, it may be prime time for Deion Sanders to take over

Florida State is still operating in darkness after winning a national championship in 2014. Bright lights follow Sanders wherever he goes. The Seminoles could use some of that.

Move over, Tom Brady? Why Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen could be NFL's next passing king

Football historians may one day look at the rivalry between Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes with the same fondness they hold for those epic Tom Brady-Peyton Manning battles.

'You're not Patrick Mahomes': Justin Fields could be a huge bust

Amazon "Thursday Night Football" analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick, a longtime NFL QB, had tough words for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields after another inept performance from the Bears' offense in a 12-7 loss to Washington.

For USC, more money (for Lincoln Riley) equals fewer problems

Ahead of schedule and on an accelerated timeline, the Trojans are poised to be in the national discussion for the long haul.

'Dirt on Jerry Jones': Five of the most stunning revelations from ESPN's Daniel Snyder report

It certainly sounds as though Snyder is far from the most popular person among his NFL peers.

Report: Commanders' Dan Snyder claims to have 'dirt' on other owners, Roger Goodell

A bombshell report from ESPN details Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder's efforts to unearth "enough secrets to blow up" several NFL owners, the league office and even commissioner Roger Goodell.

Top NBA prospect Nick Smith Jr. primed to be difference-maker for Arkansas

Per The Sporting News, Smith Jr. ranks as the third-best prospect in next year's NBA draft behind Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson.

Watch: William & Mary pulls off an unusual trick play

 William & Mary pulled off an unconventional trick play this past Saturday in a 27-21 win over Delaware.  The Tribe deployed two quarterbacks on the play, with Hollis Mathis running under center during pre-snap motion while Darius Wilson stood in shotgun formation.

Pete Carroll: Drew Lock 'nipping at' Geno Smith's heels in practice

Carroll credited at least some of Smith's success this season to the fact that he's competing with Lock in practice.

Watch: Tyrann Mathieu pays up bet with Saints teammate Alvin Kamara

 Alvin Kamara posted to Twitter a video of teammate Tyrann Mathieu making good on a bet the two made prior to last Saturday's LSU-Tennessee game. Matthieu, an LSU Tiger from 2010-2011, donned an orange Tennessee hoodie as Kamara filmed following Tennessee's 40-13 victory over LSU.

Dolphins remove ping pong table from locker room to focus on Vikings

Following a two-game losing streak and gearing up for a different starting quarterback for the third week in a row, the team is removing all distractions as they attempt to get back on track.

Who wants a piece of James Madison, college football's biggest surprise?

Growing pains are expected from college football programs that make the move to FBS level. James Madison is bucking historical trends as well as being the one delivering the pain.

Saints' front office history shows no focus on finding franchise quarterback

Without Brees falling into his lap, Mickey Loomis' track record of drafting quarterbacks is abysmal.

Troy Aikman doesn't acknowledge Patrick Mahomes passing him on all-time list

Mahomes passed Aikman on the career touchdowns thrown list when he threw No.166 to tight end Travis Kelce in his 68th career game.