Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee: Shocking Upset Brewing?! Cowboys-Chiefs Mayhem!

Veteran bettor Will Hill, a guy who's seen it all and then some, is back with his underdog picks for the weekend, and this time he's got his eyes on an SEC rivalry and a Thanksgiving Day showdown. Hill, known for his appearances on the Bear Bets Podcast and his analysis on VSiN and the Goldboys Network, is looking beyond the obvious favorites, sniffing out value in Vanderbilt and, believe it or not, the Dallas Cowboys.

Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee: Shocking Upset Brewing?!...

“Doesn’t it feel like just yesterday we were all hyped about Arch Manning's debut against Ohio State?” Hill joked, highlighting just how fast this sports season is flying by. “But with playoff spots on the line in both college football and the NFL, it’s time to dig deep and find some upsets." And that's exactly what he's aiming to do.

First up, Hill's backing Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt Commodores. Now, I know what you're thinking: Vanderbilt? But hear him out. Apparently, since Pavia's arrival, they've been surprisingly resilient, boasting an impressive 11-3 record against the spread as underdogs since last year, and even snagging four outright wins. That's not just luck; something's clicking in Nashville.

“The line initially opened at 3.5, but the smart money quickly drove it down,” Hill pointed out. "So, if you're thinking about taking the points, it might be worth holding out, see if you can snag a 3 or even the original 3.5 again, those half-points can be crucial.” Despite the tight spread, Hill believes Vanderbilt, powered by what he calls a "Heisman-caliber quarterback" and a potent offense, could really give Tennessee a run for their money and maybe even throw a wrench into the College Football Playoff selection process. It's a bold call, but I wouldn't completely dismiss it.

PICK: Vanderbilt (+2.5) to lose by fewer than 2.5 points or win outright

Switching gears to the NFL, Hill's intrigued by the Dallas Cowboys in their Thanksgiving Day clash against the Chiefs. This is a fascinating matchup, especially considering both teams are coming off those nail-biting, comeback victories that seemed to breathe new life into their seasons.

“Both of these teams rallied from pretty significant deficits, which probably saved their seasons," Hill observed. "I’m going to take the points with what appears to be a much-improved Cowboys defense.” And it's true, the Cowboys have looked different since they bolstered their defensive lineup, stifling opponents and even shutting out the Eagles, the reigning champs, for a large chunk of their recent game. That's a statement.

“The Cowboys have an elite offense, no doubt about that," Hill stated. "If their defense can just get to league average, they’re a seriously dangerous team. The Chiefs, despite their success with Mahomes and Reid, often find themselves winning by relatively small margins.” It's a compelling argument. The Cowboys might just have the pieces in place to make this Thanksgiving game a whole lot more interesting than some might expect.

PICK: Cowboys (+3.5) to lose by fewer than 3.5 points or win outright