Virginia Tech vs. Boston College Recap: Overton's 76-Yard Run

Virginia Tech won 21-14 at Boston College, and it needed a late rally to get there. The game was 3-0 at halftime. Boston College took a 14-6 lead on two Mason McKenzie touchdown runs, the second with 11:09 left. Then Ethan Grunkemeyer hit Marlion Jackson for a 14-yard touchdown, Jeffrey Overton Jr. ran in the two-point try to tie it at 8:05, and Overton broke a 76-yard touchdown run at 4:58 for the winner. Three DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game, all posted before kickoff, and two of them landed by half a point.

What cashed

ALT: Virginia Tech -6.5 (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: The main line was -13.5. Virginia Tech was scoring 50.7 points a game (5th nationally) and was 16-for-16 in the red zone. Boston College was scoring 21.7, beat Maine by only six, and had 11 players out, including its top running back, three tight ends and two offensive linemen. Called by Darius.
• What happened: Virginia Tech won by 7, covering -6.5 by half a point. The offense that averaged 50.7 scored 21. It gained 370 yards but settled for two John Love field goals, turned it over on downs twice and lost a fumble. Overton's 76-yard run was the play that got it over the number.
• Worth watching: The alt did its job, but the scoring side of the read was off by a lot. A 50.7 average didn't translate on the road against a defense that held Virginia Tech to 4-for-15 on third down, so even more cushion is worth looking for in a similar spot.

ALT: Luke Reynolds 5+ receptions (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: The tight end led Virginia Tech with 8.3 catches and 88 yards a game and 4 touchdowns, and WR Ayden Greene was ruled out, taking another target off the field. Also called by Darius.
• What happened: Reynolds caught exactly 5 passes for 15 yards, with a long of 7, clearing 4.5 by half a catch. Grunkemeyer completed 22 of 35 passes for 147 yards, and Que'Sean Brown led the team with 8 catches for 51 yards.
• Worth watching: The catches came, but only just, and at 3.0 yards a catch there was no yardage upside. His receptions line looks better than his yards when the passing game is this short, and a lower number gives more room.

ALT: Mason McKenzie 45+ rushing yards (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: McKenzie was Boston College's leading runner at 75 rushing yards a game, and BC was without RB Sedric Addison. The risk we flagged was that college rushing counts sacks against him.
• What happened: He ran 26 times for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns, from 5 and 2 yards out, with a long of 45. That cleared 44.5 by 93.5. He accounted for 138 of Boston College's 150 rushing yards and also threw for 111 yards.
• Worth watching: With the top running back out, McKenzie was the run game. That kind of role is what we want behind a rushing prop.

How the game played out

Overton ran 25 times for 209 yards, and Virginia Tech finished with 223 rushing yards on 42 carries. The passing game was quiet at 4.2 yards per attempt. Boston College went 2-for-13 on third down, was called for 8 penalties for 89 yards and punted nine times, but its defense held Virginia Tech to 6 points through three quarters.

Trends to watch

• Virginia Tech's 50.7 scoring average met a real defense and came out at 21. Alt spreads with room fit better than the main number when laying points with this team.
• McKenzie carried 26 times. While Boston College is short at running back, his rushing line is worth a look.
• Overton had 25 carries and 209 yards. His rushing line is worth watching while he carries this kind of load.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. New to these terms? Read up on the alt line, the point spread and the hook, or head back to the college football hub.