West Virginia vs. TCU Recap: Hawkins Scores Twice in 24-20 Win

West Virginia beat TCU 24-20 in a game TCU won on the stat sheet. The Horned Frogs outgained the Mountaineers 484 to 265 and held the ball for 37:36, but they turned it over three times to West Virginia's one. Michael Hawkins Jr. ran for two scores and threw the go-ahead touchdown to Cam Cook with 11:28 left. Two DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Michael Hawkins Jr. anytime TD (-190 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Hawkins led the Big 12 with 14 rushing touchdowns and had scored in all 7 games this year, and in 8 of his last 9. - What happened: He scored twice on the ground. A 2-yard run early in the second quarter put West Virginia up 10-7, and a 36-yard run in the third quarter retook the lead at 17-13. He finished with 87 rushing yards on 20 carries. - Worth watching: Hawkins carried 20 times and threw just 15 passes. When a quarterback is this involved in the run game near the goal line, his scoring prop stays worth a look, even at a short price.

ALT: West Virginia over 20.5 points (-160 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: West Virginia had scored 21 or more in all 7 games this year and averaged 31.5 points over its last 10. The main team total was 24, so the alt gave us room. - What happened: The Mountaineers landed right on 24, clearing the alt by 3.5. They sat at 17 after three quarters, and the 13-yard Hawkins pass to Cook early in the fourth is what pushed them past the number. Jack Cassidy added a 54-yard field goal in the first quarter and all three extra points. - Worth watching: West Virginia reached its main total on only 265 yards. With a team that keeps scoring 21 or more, an alt set a few points under the main number is the cleaner way to back the offense.

How the game played out

TCU threw for 372 yards and went up 20-17 late in the third quarter on a 2-yard Jaden Craig run. West Virginia answered with the Cook touchdown at 11:28 of the fourth, and neither team scored again. TCU converted 8 of 14 third downs to West Virginia's 4 of 12, but the turnover gap kept the Mountaineers in front. TCU also had to settle for two Nate McCashland field goals in the middle quarters.

Trends to watch

• West Virginia ran 43 times for 186 yards. Its scoring does not depend on a big passing day.
• Hawkins accounted for all three West Virginia touchdowns, two rushing and one passing. His usage is the center of this offense.
• TCU piled up 484 yards but also had 8 penalties for 81 yards and three turnovers. A team that moves the ball this well and still scores 20 is one to keep in mind when its totals come up.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. More on these bets: anytime touchdown, alt lines, and the CFB hub.