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

Atlanta Falcons ceiling and floor for 2023

With the regular season kicking off Thursday, we're dusting off our earlier guides on the ceilings and floors of each team in the NFL. Here's how our assessment of the Falcons has changed.

Sean Payton calls out commissioner Roger Goodell over unbelievable Saints statistic

It's no mystery that Broncos head coach Sean Payton and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell aren't the best of friends.

Clemson trolled for epic red zone failures against Duke

The red zone was a dead zone for Clemson in its stunning 28-7 loss versus Duke.

How the Panthers contributed to Brian Burns's contract dispute

Carolina defensive end Brian Burns's contract dispute is a problem the Panthers created.

Brian Kelly's biggest mistake against Florida State had nothing to do with his fourth-down calls

Brian Kelly was right to go for it. Let's get that out of the way. Yet he was far from blameless in the embarrassing loss to FSU.

Pac-12 picked a bad time to be at its best

Is it too late for the Pac-12 to stick together?

Why Florida State-LSU is a must-win for the Tigers

It might seem like Week 1 is too early to declare a game must-win, but that's exactly what Sunday's season opener is for LSU when it squares off against Florida State.

Winners and losers for Week 1 of the college football season

Quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Drew Allar made the most out of their spotlight while TCU, Baylor and Boston College are still trying to find the light switch. Here are the winners and losers of Saturday's college football action.  

South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler might be the biggest wild card in college football

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye is the headliner in the Tar Heels' season-opener against South Carolina, but Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler could end up as the bigger story.

Watch: Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter makes unreal interception to save touchdown against TCU

Hunter, the No. 1 overall prospect of the 2022 recruiting class, quickly showed why he was such a highly touted player out of high school with his incredible interception in the red zone to stop a TCU scoring threat.

Watch: First drive of Deion Sanders era at Colorado shows just how improved team is

All eyes in the college football world are on Deion Sanders after he took over at Colorado, and based on the Buffaloes' first offensive series, the transition is going well in Boulder.

Florida State should be happy where it's at

College football's realignment wheels aren't done spinning but maybe they should be. 

NCAA continues to botch UNC WR Devontez Walker's eligibility

North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker won't play in the Tar Heels' prime-time season opener against South Carolina because he's waiting on a decision from an appeals committee regarding his eligibility.

Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. cementing his place as NL MVP

This isn't the honeymoon phase talking: Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is the 2023 NL MVP.

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.