Yardbarker

Jeff Mezydlo

A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports, entertainment and pop culture for parts of four decades. He was an integral member of award-winning sports sections at The Times of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Ind.) and Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette, where he covered the NFL, PGA, LPGA, NCAA basketball, football and golf, Olympics and high school athletics. Jeff most recently spent 12 years in the editorial department at STATSPerform, where he also oversaw coverage of the English Premier League. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Jeff's work has also appeared on such sites at Yahoo!, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated and NBA.com. However, if Jeff could do it again, he'd attend Degrassi Junior High, Ampipe High School and Grand Lakes University

EXPERTISE:

NCAA football, NCAA basketball, PGA/LPGA, international soccer, sports history, rock music, film history

10 most surprising college basketball teams so far

As we dive into the second half of the 2019-20 college basketball season, we don't have a clear-cut national championship contender at the moment. Amid the parity, however, are a number of quality programs.

Catching up on the biggest stories in college basketball so far

We're now in the heart of the college basketball season. Conference play is heating up, and no team has broken away from the pack as a potential midseason front-runner for the national title.  There are several fascinating storylines to follow as we head down the road toward March Madness.

'80s film villains who we can't get enough of

Those of a certain age group are still stuck in the 1980s, especially when it comes to movies. More specifically, we still can't get enough of those '80s villains, bad boys and girls. Whether they were in action films, comedies, or teen romantic dramas, here are our favorite '80s villains.

The 25 movies, shows, and music that defined 2019

Whether it was on television or in film or music, 2019 gave us some memorable entertainment moments. Perhaps it wasn't an over-the-top, unforgettable year in entertainment, but there was plenty of work to look back fondly on and that was worthy of acclaim.

The entertainers who blew us away in 2019

Moviegoers, TV watchers and music lovers certainly had a lot to like in 2019. Across the entertainment board, there was talent to keep just about anybody happy and even turn some heads.

Bowl records for each team in every 2019 bowl game

The 2019 bowl season is just about to get underway. Here's a look at the bowl records of each team that will be part of the action. Rankings reflect that of The Associated Press Top 25.

The 25 most iconic acting families in movie history

Acting bloodlines run deep through Hollywood. Entertainment is a family business for some of the biggest stars in the industry. Here are 25 acting families worth highlighting.

Ranking the 2019 college football bowl games

We thought we'd help out by ranking which bowls have the most intriguing matchups or are worth spending time to watch. Here's our ranking of those 39 bowl games on tap this season.

Yardbarker 2019 college football All-American team

The 2019 college football regular season is done. As we await the start of bowl season and the College Football Playoff, it's a good time to single out some of the top performers on both sides of the ball, and special teams, this season.

The 25 best college football games this season

There is still plenty of football left to be played in the 2019 college football season. However, the regular season for most of the country's teams has ended.

Sports storylines to follow in 2020

Spanning all sports and all athletes, there are stories and trends to keep an eye on in the new year and start to a new decade.

The 25 best coaches in college basketball

It's a perfect time to offer our take on the best 25 coaches still active on the Division I level.

The best concept albums of all time

 Some tell a continuous story, while others use each song to contribute to an overall theme. Here are some of the more notable concept albums ever made.

Movies you can watch on Thanksgiving instead of football

Here are some films — not just involving football or even the holiday, for that matter — worth watching when live football is not doing it for you this Thanksgiving.

Notable film characters whose on-screen intros were in sequels

In many instances, sequels often fail in living up to the films they follow up. However, some can more than hold their own and are even better than the original movie in a series.

25 loathsome TV characters everyone loves to hate

It doesn't always take a villain or principal antagonist to get viewers' blood boiling. Some fringe or recurring characters can downright annoy us to the brink of pulling our hair out. Here are 25 all-time TV characters worthy of that love-to-hate relationship.

The best sports moments of 2019

As we put a bow on 2019, it's always fun to look back at the those memorable sports moments from the calendar year that was. Spanning all sports, not just the four majors, there was plenty to marvel and celebrate — throughout the world.

The 25 biggest college football stories of the 2010s

Another decade is about to end, and from a college football standpoint it's been quite interesting — and groundbreaking in some cases. From rule changes to a needed postseason upgrade, the 2010s won't soon be forgotten for what happened on and off the college gridiron.

The 2019 athletes of the year

As another sports year winds down, it's a good time to look back at those athletes who shined brightest in 2019. Spanning a variety of sports — professional and amateur and male and female, there have been some memorable performances and seasons turned in throughout the calendar year.

10 college hoops assistants on the rise

Behind every great college basketball coach — or at least a really good one, there is an important assistant. Whether an elite recruiter, a top-notch scout or a tireless strategist who seems born to be a head coach, these guys tend to prove invaluable to their programs without receiving much fanfare.