Old Dominion vs South Florida Prediction, Picks & Spread – Cure Bowl

• Both Old Dominion and South Florida’s starting quarterbacks have opted out of the Cure Bowl
• The winner of Wednesday’s game caps a 10-win campaign
• Keep reading for my Old Dominion vs South Florida prediction and picks

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The Old Dominion Monarchs (9-3) and South Florida Bulls (9-3) head to Orlando to battle in the StaffDNACure Bowl. Camping World Stadium will host the contest at 5:00 PM ET on Wednesday, Dec. 17. ESPN will handle the broadcast.

Continue reading for my Old Dominion vs South Florida prediction as well as the Old Dominion vs South Florida picks and spread.

Old Dominion vs South Florida Prediction

My Cure Bowl Prediction: South Florida 24, Old Dominion 21

I am backing South Florida to win a close, lower-scoring game. With both quarterbacks out, I am siding with the under, even as it has dropped several points since the line came out.

For an update on bowl game opt-outs and injuries, check out our CFB bowl opt-out tracker.

Old Dominion Monarchs Analysis

Old Dominion had its first winning season since 2016. With a win in the Cure Bowl, ODU would match the school record with 10 wins, also achieved in 2016. While the Monarchs had a little swoon in the middle of the season, they rebounded to win their last five conference games to go from 4-3 to 9-3. Head coach Ricky Rahne has a 0-2 bowl record in his tenure.

With Colton Joseph in the transfer portal, it appears the Monarchs will turn to sophomore Quinn Henicle. In two seasons in Norfolk, Henicle has thrown 40 passes for two touchdowns and an interception. He was a solid runner last season, racking up 278 yards and three touchdowns. This season, he has 159 total yards and zero touchdowns.

A school record 92-yard touchdown run for Quinn Henicle!#ODUSports | #ReignOn | #Monarchs pic.twitter.com/fKgkLkymvQ

— ODU Athletics (@ODUSports) November 30, 2024

Joseph led the team in rushing, but the top running back, Trequan Jones, is far from a consolation prize. He led the Sun Belt with 7.6 yards per carry, turning in 736 yards and five touchdowns. Devin Roche also had a solid season, registering 530 yards and four touchdowns.

Tre Brown has been electric for the Monarchs. While he was third on the team in catches, he turned his 37 catches into 751 yards and four touchdowns. His 20.3 yards per catch lead the Sun Belt. Beyond him, Ja’Cory Thomas and Na’eem Abdul-Rahimm Gladding also surpassed 600 yards.

The name to watch on the ODU defense is safety Jeremy Mack. Mack led the Monarchs in both tackles for a loss (10.0) and sacks (4.5). He also nabbed an interception, a forced fumble, and three pass deflections.

South Florida Bulls Analysis

South Florida has its most wins since 2017, with a nine-win season. They even made the AP Poll for the first time since 2018 and made their inaugural appearance in the CFP Rankings (for one week). The Bulls had such a successful season that third-year head coach Alex Golesh got the Auburn job, so former Big East Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Patrick will man the Bulls for the Cure Bowl.

With Byrum Brown opting out, the Bulls look like they will turn to Tennessee transfer Gaston Moore. Moore, a senior, has attempted 64 passes across five seasons. This season, he is 14-for-20 with 54 yards and a passing touchdown. He has 34 career rushing yards on 13 carries, quite the drop from Brown’s 1,000-yard season.

Nykahi Davenport has a strong season as the lead back. In 10 games, he ran for 603 yards and seven touchdowns, both marks finishing second to Brown. Behind Davenport, Sam Franklin and Alvon Isaac pitched in with over 300 yards each.

Several of USF’s second-tier receivers will miss the Cure Bowl, but No.1 option, Keshaun Singleton, will play. He hauled in 50 passes for 877 yards and eight touchdowns. All figures led the Bulls. He has an outside shot at 1,000 yards if USF really pushes down the accelerator versus Old Dominion.

USF’s stud defender is linebacker Mac Harris. In 12 games, Harris recorded 100 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, and a team-leading 6.0 sacks. He also had two picks for a conference-leading 93 return yards. He had a pick-six, two pass deflections, and an American-leading three forced fumbles.

Mac Harris and De’Shawn Rucker represent USF on the All Conference First Team! USF had 11 players earn all conference honors this year, a program record. Congratulations to all the nominees! pic.twitter.com/DMwvyoaYl1

— Barstool USF (@Barstool_USF) December 2, 2025

Old Dominion vs South Florida Picks

My Old Dominion vs South Florida Pick: Under 52.5 (-112)

Here is why I am taking Under 52.5 in the Cure Bowl:

• Both teams are turning to backup quarterbacks with limited action. Not only will both teams have compromised passing attacks, but they will have compromised rushing attacks. Both Colton Joseph and Byrum Brown led their respective squads in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
• The architect of USF’s No.2 scoring offense, Alex Golesh, is no longer the head coach for the Bulls as he moved on to Auburn. In his place is the inexperienced Kevin Patrick who will be coaching his first game.
• The entirety of Old Dominion’s top-25 scoring defense is slated to play in the Cure Bowl. Their three non-participants are on the offensive side of the football.

Old Dominion vs USF Spread & Odds

South Florida is a slight favorite in the Cure Bowl. USF bettors can get the Bulls at -2.5 on the spread at NorthStar Bets (-110 odds) or -133 on the moneyline at Betfair. Old Dominion bettors can get the Monarchs at +3 against the spread on Fanatics (-115 odds) or +120 on the moneyline at DraftKings.

The total is set between 51.5 and 52.5. Over bettors can get over 51.5 at DraftKings for -112 odds. Under bettors can get under 52.5 at NorthStar Bets for -112 odds.

Odds as of December 17, 2025, at consensus College Football betting apps. Make sure you check out the best online sportsbook to bet on the Salute to Veterans Bowl.

Old Dominion vs South Florida History

This is the first time Old Dominion and South Florida are battling on the gridiron. This makes sense given that both ODU and USF have quite modern programs. Old Dominion restarted its football program in 2009, before making the jump to FBS in 2014. USF has only had a program since 1997, competing at the FBS level since 2001.

Cure Bowl, Recent History

This is the 11th iteration of the Cure Bowl. Both Old Dominion and South Florida are making their inaugural appearances in the Orlando-based bowl game. This year, the game is sponsored by StaffDNA.

Last season, Ohio knocked off Jacksonville State in a battle of conference champions. Ohio’s Parker Navarro won Game MVP after accounting for four total touchdowns and 365 yards. On the Jacksonville State side, quarterback Tyler Huff also had 365 total yards, but he only added two touchdowns.