Kansas vs. Utah Recap: Parker's 90-Yard Run Seals the Cover

Utah beat Kansas 41-24, but it was closer than the final for most of the night. Utah led 14-0 in the first quarter, Kansas scored 10 points in the final 42 seconds of the half to trail 21-17, and Nik McMillan's 29-yard touchdown catch late in the third made it 27-24. Utah pulled away with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, the second a 90-yard Wayshawn Parker run. Utah ran for 287 yards on 47 carries and held the ball for 39:04. Six DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Utah ML (-700 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Utah was a 15.5-point home favorite. Devon Dampier had 9 touchdowns against 1 interception, while Kansas quarterback Isaiah Marshall was completing 55% with 3 interceptions. - What happened: Utah never trailed and won by 17. Kansas got within 3 late in the third quarter, and Utah answered with touchdown drives of 75 and 99 yards. - Worth watching: At -700 the price is the whole story. That number implies about 87.5% to break even, so a favorite this short needs to be close to a sure thing to be worth playing straight.

ALT: Utah -9.5 (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED - Our read: Utah was 4-0 against the spread and allowing 10.3 points a game, and Kansas was -4 in turnovers. The alt line gave us six points of cushion under the main Utah -15.5. - What happened: Utah won by 17, 7.5 points better than the number. It was in doubt going into the fourth at 27-24. Utah then went 75 yards in 9 plays for a Semi Taulanga touchdown catch, and both of Kansas's fourth-quarter drives ended on downs. - Worth watching: Kansas threw for 333 yards and kept this within a score for three quarters. Buying points down from a big home spread was the difference here, and it is worth considering when the main number asks for a blowout.

ALT: Utah over 29.5 team total points (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED - Our read: Utah had scored 30+ in 9 straight games and in 7 of its last 8 at home, and the DraftKings line implied about 33. - What happened: Utah scored 41, 11.5 over. A blocked extra point in the third left Utah at 27 entering the fourth, and the Taulanga touchdown with 10:45 left pushed it to 34. - Worth watching: Utah finished with 545 total yards. When an offense is moving like that, a team total set below the implied number gives some room for a stalled drive or two.

Wayshawn Parker 10+ rush attempts (alt, targeted -250 or better): CASHED - Our read: Parker had 12, 10, 10 and 18 carries in his four games as Utah's lead back, and as a 15.5-point favorite Utah figured to stay on the ground. - What happened: Parker ran 16 times for 171 yards and two touchdowns, 6.5 carries over the line. He scored from 5 yards out on the opening drive and broke the 90-yard run in the fourth. He added 2 catches for 36 yards. - Worth watching: Utah ran 47 times, but Dampier took 17 of those carries himself. Parker's volume is steady, and a 10+ carries number has room even with the quarterback running that much.

Devon Dampier 2+ passing TDs (alt, targeted -180 or better): CASHED - Our read: Dampier had 9 touchdown passes in four starts and Utah was implied for about 33 points. - What happened: Dampier threw three touchdown passes, 1.5 over, and all were short: 6 yards to Noah Bennee in the second, 2 to Ricky Johnson in the third and 1 to Taulanga in the fourth. He also ran one in from 12 yards. - Worth watching: Three of Utah's six touchdowns were short throws from inside the 10. That red-zone usage keeps passing touchdown props in play even when the yardage is modest.

Devon Dampier under 274.5 passing yards (alt, targeted -250 or better): CASHED - Our read: Dampier had 896 passing yards in four starts (224 a game) and stayed under 274.5 in all four. With Utah favored by 15.5, a lead meant more runs. - What happened: Dampier completed 23 of 30 passes for 238 yards with one interception, 36.5 under. His longest completion was 45 yards to Ricky Johnson in the fourth. - Worth watching: Utah's 47 rushing attempts capped the passing volume. When Utah is a big favorite, his yardage under is worth a look again.

How the game played out

Kansas got 333 passing yards from Isaiah Marshall, with Cam Pickett catching 8 passes for 134 yards. The Jayhawks managed just 58 rushing yards on 21 carries and converted 4 of 13 third downs, so they could not stay on the field. Utah had two turnovers and 10 penalties and still won the time of possession by more than 18 minutes.

Trends to watch

• Dampier ran 17 times for 71 yards and a touchdown. His rushing attempts and yards are worth checking next to his passing props.
• Ricky Johnson caught 5 passes for 104 yards with a 45-yard long, Utah's top big-play target in this one.
• Kansas trailed from the first drive and threw 37 times. Pickett's 8 catches and 134 yards make his receiving props worth a look in games where Kansas falls behind.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. For more on pricing heavy favorites, see implied probability, alt lines and our college football hub.