Texas A&M vs. LSU Recap: LSU Defense Shuts Down the Aggies

LSU beat Texas A&M 35-6. LSU led 14-3 at the break, then scored three third-quarter touchdowns on a 57-yard Jackson Harris catch and two short Landen Clark runs. LSU outgained A&M 506 to 197, and A&M went 4-for-15 on third down. Seven DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

LSU ML (-319 at FanDuel): CASHED

• Our read: LSU was an 8.5-point home favorite at night, and A&M was without WR Terry Bussey with RB Jamarion Morrow doubtful. Called by Darius.
• What happened: LSU won by 29 and held A&M to 197 yards.
• Worth watching: At -319 this is a parlay piece more than a standalone bet, and it did its job.

ALT: LSU -2.5 (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: A&M lost 10 players to the draft, seven of them linemen, and LSU's defense is top 10 in havoc rate at home. Main line -8.5.
• What happened: The 29-point win covered by 26.5. The main line would have covered by 20.5.
• Worth watching: The cushion cost payout here, but it protects the closer nights. Alt spreads on a big home favorite stay worth a look.

ALT: Texas A&M team total Under 27.5 (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: A&M scored 21 against Kentucky, had Morrow doubtful and Bussey out, and LSU held Clemson to 10. The market implied about 22.
• What happened: A&M scored 6 on two David Olano field goals, 21.5 under. Its drives ended in seven punts, two interceptions and a turnover on downs.
• Worth watching: When an offense is thin at the skill spots and faces a strong defense, the alt team total under is a clean way to play it.

ALT: Winston Watkins Jr. 3+ receptions (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: TE Trey'Dez Green and WR Phillip Wright III were out, so Watkins (5 catches a game) would absorb targets.
• What happened: 5 catches for 107 yards, 2.5 over.
• Worth watching: The injury read was right. Watch who is out before his next game; his volume rises when the top targets sit.

ALT: Winston Watkins Jr. 40+ receiving yards (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: With Green (14-222) and Wright out, Watkins (110, 43 and 54 yards) was the top remaining target.
• What happened: 107 yards with a long of 36, 67.5 over. Harris added 163 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Worth watching: Sam Leavitt completed 17 of 23 passes, 312 yards at 13.6 yards per attempt. With a passer that efficient, his receivers' yardage alts have room.

ALT: Isaiah Horton 3+ receptions (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: Horton caught 4, 3 and 5 passes in A&M's three games, with Bussey out.
• What happened: Exactly 3 catches for 43 yards. It cleared by 0.5.
• Worth watching: A low bar survived a night when A&M completed only 10 passes. That floor is why the low alt is the way to play him.

ALT: Rueben Owens II 50+ rushing yards (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: Owens led A&M in carries every game (17, 10, 18), and we expected 18+ with Morrow doubtful and Edwards hurt.
• What happened: 11 carries for 62 yards, 12.5 over.
• Worth watching: Fewer carries than expected, but 5.6 a carry cleared it. A low yardage alt gives him room even when the game script turns against A&M.

How the game played out

LSU ran 38 times and spread the work: Dilin Jones had 14 carries for 63 yards and a 1-yard touchdown, Clark went for 41 yards and two scores, and Harlem Berry added 58. A&M ran 33 times but managed only 197 total yards.

Trends to watch

• LSU split 38 carries across Jones, Clark and Berry. When LSU is in control, no single back gets the full workload.
• Watkins and Harris combined for 270 receiving yards with Green and Wright out. LSU's passing game produced even without its top two targets.
• Owens and Horton kept producing in a lopsided loss. Low alts on A&M's steadiest players held up in a bad script.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. New to these terms? Read up on the alt line, the moneyline and more college football recaps.