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Home / Free Picks / College Football / ODU vs. USF Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for the Cure Bowl December 17 2025

ODU vs. USF Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for the Cure Bowl December 17 2025

By: Kyle Kargel Published 12/16/2025, 06:13 AM ET

The Old Dominion vs South Florida bowl matchup brings plenty of uncertainty and betting intrigue, especially with major roster and coaching changes on both sidelines. This game has quickly become a popular topic among college football picks this postseason, as bettors try to sort out which program is better positioned to handle the chaos that often defines bowl season.

Quick Picks and Prediction

  • Spread Pick: Old Dominion +3.5
  • Total Pick: Under 55.5
  • Projected Final Score: Old Dominion 27, South Florida 23

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Odds and Line Movement

Opening Odds

Team Spread Total
Old Dominion +7.0 Over 55.0
South Florida -7.0 Under 55.0

Current Odds

Team Spread Total
Old Dominion +3.5 (-110) Over 53.5 (-110)
South Florida -3.5 (-110) Under 53.5 (-110)

Line Movement - Spread

Date Old Dominion South Florida
12/06 +7.5 -7.5
12/09 +6.0 -6.0
12/10 +5.0 -5.0
12/14 +3.5 -3.5

Line Movement - Total

Date Over Under
12/06 55.5 55.5
12/09 55.0 55.0
12/12 54.0 54.0
12/14 53.5 53.5

Key Matchups and Handicap

South Florida enters bowl season with a strong recent postseason résumé, having gone 7-2 in its last nine bowl appearances. However, this Bulls team looks dramatically different than the versions that enjoyed success in recent years. South Florida is without its entire offensive brain trust, as head coach Alex Golesh, offensive coordinator Joel Gordon, and most of the staff have already departed for Auburn. Quarterback Byrum Brown has elected to sit out, although he will remain with the program in an assistant coaching role.

Fifth-year senior Gaston Moore is expected to make his first career start for South Florida, which represents a massive unknown against a well-rounded Old Dominion defense. The Monarchs also face a quarterback change, as Colton Joseph has entered the transfer portal. That said, redshirt freshman Quinn Henicle offers a different skill set, highlighted by his rushing ability. Henicle previously rushed for 206 yards and two touchdowns in a spot start last season, giving Old Dominion a clear alternative path to offensive production.

From a broader team perspective, Old Dominion graded out as one of the most efficient Group of Five programs this season, posting a +2.03 yards per play differential that ranked inside the top ten nationally. The Monarchs are built to win in multiple ways, while South Florida relied heavily on offensive fireworks that may not be available with its current personnel.

  • Old Dominion has covered four of its last five games as an underdog.
  • South Florida has failed to cover in three of its last four games when favored.
  • Five of Old Dominion’s last seven games have stayed under the total.

Key Injuries and Notes (ODU vs USF)

  • South Florida QB Byrum Brown is sitting out of the bowl game.
  • Old Dominion QB Colton Joseph has entered the transfer portal.
  • USF will be coached by interim head coach Kevin Patrick.

ATS and Total Picks

  • Against the Spread: Old Dominion +3.5
  • Over or Under: Under 55.5

Final Score Prediction

Old Dominion 27, South Florida 23

Stats to Know for Old Dominion vs South Florida

  • Old Dominion ranked top-10 nationally in yards per play differential.
  • South Florida is replacing its starting quarterback and entire offensive coaching staff.
  • The Monarchs generated success against both the run and the pass this season.
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