Oregon St vs. UTEP Recap: Atkinson and Legree Carry a 33-7 Rout

Oregon State beat UTEP 33-7, and the game was decided early. The Beavers scored on three of their first four drives, led 17-0 after one quarter and 20-0 at halftime. UTEP's only touchdown came on its opening drive of the third quarter, and Oregon State answered with two more scores before the fourth quarter was a minute old. Six DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Oregon State ML (-465 at FanDuel): CASHED

• Our read: UTEP lost 51-0 at Oklahoma and 52-17 at Michigan, and its QB EJ Colson had not passed for 100 yards against FBS. Braden Atkinson had thrown for 333 or more every week.
• What happened: Oregon State won by 26 and outgained UTEP 451 to 222. UTEP went 3-for-12 on third down and never got closer than 20-7.
• Worth watching: At -465 this is a parlay leg, not a single. It was never in doubt.

ALT: Oregon State -3.5 (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: The main line was Oregon State -11.5, and UTEP had lost to Oklahoma and Michigan by a combined 86 points. We took the cushion instead of laying the full number.
• What happened: A 26-point win covered -3.5 by 22.5. The main -11.5 would have covered too, by 14.5.
• Worth watching: The alt costs payout when the favorite rolls, but it's the right trade when the favorite is a big road number.

ALT: Oregon State team total Over 24.5 (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: Atkinson had thrown for 333+ in every game, and UTEP allowed 51 and 52 in its two games against power-conference teams.
• What happened: Oregon State scored 33, clearing 24.5 by 8.5. It passed the number on Jesse Legree's 19-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. The offense was held scoreless for the last 14:56, so the cushion ended up thinner than the halftime pace suggested.
• Worth watching: Two first-half drives stalled into field goals, but 451 yards of offense says this number was sound.

ALT: Braden Atkinson 250+ passing yards (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: Atkinson had 1,122 passing yards (374 per game), 8 TDs and 1 INT, second nationally. UTEP ranked 104th in PFF pass coverage.
• What happened: He threw for 301 yards on 24 of 34 passing, with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. That cleared 249.5 by 51.5.
• Worth watching: This was the safe rung, and it needed to be. 301 was below every one of his first three games.

ALT: Braden Atkinson 275+ passing yards (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: He threw for 376, 413 and 333 yards, and Oregon State had the top passing offense in the country at 373 per game.
• What happened: 301 yards cleared 274.5 by 26.5. UTEP ran 41 times and held the ball for 34:23, including a 15-play, 6:34 drive in the fourth quarter, so Oregon State had the ball for only 25:37. Oregon State also ran for 150 yards, with AJ Newberry going for 111 on 11 carries.
• Worth watching: It landed comfortably, but a run-heavy opponent that eats clock is the main threat to this line. We'll check pace before going higher than this rung.

ALT: Jesse Legree 80+ receiving yards (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: Legree had 136, 240 and 100 receiving yards in three games (159 per game, 28 yards per catch). UTEP gave up 51 to Oklahoma and 52 to Michigan.
• What happened: He had 6 catches for 109 yards and 2 touchdowns, a 14-yarder in the first quarter and a 19-yarder in the third. That cleared 79.5 by 29.5. His long of 46 did a lot of the work: without it he had 63 yards on the other five catches.
• Worth watching: His game is built on big plays, and the alt number leaves room for a quiet stretch. It's the right way to bet him.

How the game played out

EJ Colson Jr. completed 16 of 23 passes for 119 yards, a touchdown and an interception, and ran 19 times for 15 yards. UTEP's offense had 222 total yards and turned it over on downs twice. The Miners kept the ball but couldn't do much with it.

Trends to watch

• Atkinson's 301 came on 34 attempts in a game where UTEP controlled the clock. The lower alt rungs are where his passing props belong when an opponent can shorten the game.
• Newberry's 111 yards on 11 carries shows Oregon State can move the ball on the ground too. That pulls some volume from the passing props in a lopsided game.
• Oregon State had 11 penalties for 120 yards and was shut out after the first minute of the fourth quarter. When we bet their team total, we want a number that survives a quiet fourth quarter.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. New to these terms? Read up on the alt line, player props and the parlay, or see more at CFB.