17 hp Briggs engine that just started smoking all of a sudden.But doesn't sound like anything major But is spraying oil near the front of my mower.?

Remove the oil dipstick and smell to see if there is fuel odor. If you smell fuel, then check the spark plug for a good spark, or the carburetor adjustments for correct mixture. Sounds like unburnt fuel is seeping through the cylinder wall into the crankcase, elevating the level of the oil.