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: Nebraska turns near disaster into first touchdown of Matt Rhule era

It may not have turned out exactly how Matt Rhule envisioned it, but his first touchdown as head coach at Nebraska counted for six points nonetheless.

Watch: Two No. 3s on one play proves costly for Florida against Utah

 Florida needs to do a better job of coordinating its outfits. On a Utah punt attempt in the second quarter, two Florida Gators players were wearing the same jersey number, resulting in a penalty.

Watch: Utah backup QB throws 70-yard touchdown on first pass attempt

 No Cam Rising, no problem. Associated Press preseason No. 14 Utah is without starting quarterback Cam Rising in its season opener against Florida, not that anyone noticed based on the Utes' first place from scrimmage.

Patriots’ QB signing shows how team fleeced Panthers

A recent quarterback transaction looks great for the Patriots and not so much for the Panthers.

Bengals should think twice about rushing Joe Burrow back for Week 1

While Joe Burrow's return to practice is great for Cincinnati, the team might want to think twice before rushing him back for Week 1. Head coach Zac Taylor made no assurances that Burrow (strained calf) will start in the opener, but he's been tight-lipped in regard to his quarterback's health since he suffered his injury on July 27.

Chiefs attempting to achieve rare feat this century

Kansas City kicks off the 2023 season next Thursday night as the betting favorite to win consecutive NFL titles. If it does, it will be only the fourth team since at least 2000 to win the Super Bowl after being the preseason favorite.

Record crowd at Nebraska volleyball reminds what football program is missing

Maybe one day Nebraska's football program can get on the volleyball team's level. An amazing 92,003 people were in attendance for Nebraska's home volleyball match against Omaha at Memorial Stadium, making it the most-watched women's sporting event in history.

Mel Kiper has surprising QB listed as third best on preseason big board

The surprising prospect could also help add a new layer to a rivalry between two schools that are known for their battles on the basketball court, not the gridiron.

Stakes heightened for Green Bay following Jonathan Taylor report

Green Bay's first four games could determine whether the team trades for Colts running back Jonathan Taylor after reports that they were the mystery team involved in talks for Taylor.

Addition of former All-Pro DB another reason to like Steelers in 2023

The Steelers added former All-Pro defensive back Desmond King on Wednesday, another win for the organization following a promising preseason.

Are the Bengals the biggest winner of the Trey Lance trade?

The Cincinnati Bengals might be the biggest winner of the Trey Lance trade.

After Angels' stunning moves, why Mike Trout should be next to go this offseason

Los Angeles is having an “everything must go” sale as it punts on a 2023 wild-card berth.

Florida-Utah, Matt Rhule's debut and more to watch Thursday night

The first week of Thursday night college football kicks off with 11 games, highlighted by an SEC-Pac-12 showdown between Florida and Associated Press preseason No. 14 Utah.

Saints show faith in young players with pair of surprising cut-day transactions

The Saints parted with longtime kicker Wil Lutz and former Super Bowl champion cornerback Bradley Roby on Tuesday, a pair of moves that reveal New Orleans has a lot of trust in its young players.

Cardinals head coach's laughable Week 1 starter comments underscore why team is a joke

Kyler Murray can't play. Colt McCoy was cut.  So, who will be the Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback in Week 1? If head coach Jonathan Gannon knows, he isn't saying for a truly laughable reason.

NFC South stock up, down: Ex-Alabama teammates impress

With the preseason behind us, here's a look at whose stock is up and down in the NFC South ahead of the start of the regular season.

All Coasts Conference: ACC moving closer to adding Cal, Stanford, SMU

The Pac-12 had to die for the ACC to live. Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Cal and Stanford — along with SMU — are moving closer to joining the ACC.

Watch: USC five-star freshman's electrifying kickoff return

Five-star freshman Zachariah Branch made his presence felt in a big way for USC in its 56-28 Week 0 win over San Jose State.

Week 0 winners, losers: Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman, UMass take flight while UTEP falls flat

Unpacking Week 0 of the college football season, winners and losers style.

Heisman tiers: Examining the top contenders for the award in 2023

With the college football season kicking off, here's a look at the early field of contenders for this year's Heisman based on odds provided by Oddschecker.

Raiders clear major hurdle by agreeing to reworked deal with All-Pro

The Raiders finally got out of their own way on Saturday, agreeing to a one-year deal worth up to $12 million for the 2022 leading rusher.

Could Tulane crash the College Football Playoff?

Tulane stunned the college football world last season and the Green Wave could make a bigger splash in 2023. We're talking College Football Playoff-crashing big.

Eagles sixth-round pick has earned right to back up Jalen Hurts

The Philadelphia Eagles should seriously consider Tanner McKee as their QB2 behind Jalen Hurts on the strength of the rookie's intriguing preseason.

Michigan's plan at head coach for Jim Harbaugh's suspension is bonkers

Some teams rotate quarterbacks to open the season, but Michigan is taking that kind of thinking to a different dimension with HC Jim Harbaugh out the first three games of the season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo makes concerning comments about future with Bucks

For the Bucks, the thought of losing Antetokounmpo has to be devastating.