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

Watch: Michigan responds to early deficit with Blake Corum touchdown

We have ourselves a ball game. Michigan responded to a rough start against Alabama in the Rose Bowl with a 75-yard touchdown drive to tie the first 2023 College Football Playoff semifinal at seven.

NFL MVP futures: Can anyone catch Lamar Jackson?

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson appears to have wrapped up the NFL MVP award after his monster game in Baltimore's 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins. Does anyone else have a shot?

NCAAB futures: Five best looks for March Madness

With only two months of action before the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament commences, here is a look at five of the best bets to cut down the net on April 8 in Phoenix.

'MNF' takaways: Gutsy Dan Campbell, Dak Prescott-CeeDee Lamb connection highlight Cowboys win

Fittingly for a "Monday Night Football" game played on a Saturday, the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys offered up a crazy entertaining affair which contained twists and turns fit for an M. Night Shyamalan film.

Watch: Jimmy Johnson gives awesome speech during Cowboys Ring of Honor ceremony

How 'bout Jimmy Johnson? The Cowboys head coach from 1989-93 finally saw his name added to the franchise's Ring of Honor on Saturday night.

Best and worst from Saturday's bowls: Ole Miss reaches new heights, Florida State plumbs new depths

The final Saturday of the college football season is in the books. From Ole Miss' setting a program record for wins to Florida State making the wrong kind of history in its Orange Bowl loss, this is the best and worst of the day.

Watch: Ladd McConkey's improvisation helps Georgia blow out Florida State

Georgia could do no wrong against Florida State in the Orange Bowl. Even a failed trick play resulted in a touchdown. 

Watch: Caitlin Clark sets Big Ten conference record for most career assists

Clark does everything for Iowa, and on Saturday, the Hawkeyes revolved around her once more. 

Watch: Ugly Drew Allar interception prompts priceless reaction from Penn State fan

The only good thing to come out of Penn State quarterback Drew Allar's ugly second-quarter interception in the Peach Bowl against Ole Miss was one fan's priceless reaction.

Three reasons Michigan can beat Alabama in the CFP semifinals

Here are three reasons why the Wolverines will win against Alabama on New Year's Day.

Three reasons Alabama can beat Michigan in the CFP semifinals

Here are three reasons why the Tide will emerge victorious on New Year's Day despite not being the betting favorite.

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe takes shot at former offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe had his share of detractors before he led the Tide to an SEC title and berth in the College Football Playoff. But among his critics, few probably expected his former offensive coordinator to be one of them.

10 NFL prospects to watch in non-CFP games

It can be difficult to know who's playing during college football's bowl season because of the devaluation of non-College Football Playoff bowls, the transfer portal and players declaring for the NFL Draft. There is a decent number of players participating this season.

'TNF' preview: Browns seek to clinch rare postseason berth against Jets

The Browns are a 7.5-point favorite on Thursday night against the Jets as they look to become the third AFC team to clinch a playoff spot.

Potential landing spots for Russell Wilson in 2024

Russell Wilson's rocky tenure with the Broncos may have reached its end. If that proves to be the case, here are five landing spots that make sense for the embattled quarterback.

Week 17 NFC South predictions: Do the Buccaneers clinch the division?

Entering Week 17, the Falcons' and Saints' hopes of reaching the playoffs are on life support while the Buccaneers have their eye on clinching their third division title in a row.

Lamar Jackson's 'MNF' performance makes plenty of NFL teams look bad

 Lamar Jackson showed why he's one of the most exciting players in football on Monday night in Baltimore's decisive 33-19 win over San Francisco.  That's pretty amazing for a quarterback no one wanted to sign in free agency.

'MNF' takeaways: Ravens are AFC's best, Brock Purdy's MVP bid comes to an end

The biggest regular-season game of the year turned into a massive statement by the Baltimore Ravens.

Watch: 49ers QB Brock Purdy’s second interception leads to Ravens touchdown

 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s second interception against the Ravens led to Baltimore taking a 10-5 lead on “Monday Night Football.”

Watch: Giants potential tying TD drive stopped with end-zone INT as time expires

The Eagles escaped Week 16 with a 33-25 win over the lowly Giants, doing little to quell concerns about Philadelphia when the postseason arrives.

Watch: Jalen Hurts' pick-six pulls the Giants within one score

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw a costly pick-six during the third quarter of Philadelphia's Christmas Day game against the Giants that pulled New York within two, 20-18.

Giants QB Tommy DeVito benched at halftime for Tyrod Taylor

The Tommy DeVito craze in New York ended on Monday. Giants head coach Brian Daboll benched the undrafted quarterback at halftime of the team's Christmas Day game at Philadelphia.

The third quarter turns into a disaster for the Broncos

The Broncos had a nightmarish third quarter against the Patriots on Sunday night that might have sunk the team's playoff chances.

Watch: Ezekiel Elliott hurdles defender on way to go-ahead touchdown

Running back Ezekiel Elliott finally got the Patriots into the end zone.