2025 StaffDNA Cure Bowl Prediction: South Florida vs Old Dominion
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Can we just hope the StaffDNA Cure Bowl gets the same USF and Old Dominion offenses that ripped up the college football world throughout the regular season?
South Florida head coach Alex Golesh is off to Auburn, and there should soon be a slew of players going with him, but as of right now – this will be changed on the fly – almost all the top Bulls are in place from one of the most dynamic teams in the country.
Remember, this bunch beat Florida.
No one ran on Indiana like Old Dominion did, but 1,000-yard rushing quarterback Colton Joseph has entered the transfer portal.
This is just the fourth bowl since the program came on the scene, and in his fifth full year, this is a national showcase moment for rising head coach Ricky Rahne.
StaffDNA Cure Bowl USF vs Old Dominion Preview
How To Watch USF vs Old Dominion
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Game Time: 5:00 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Location: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, FL
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Why USF Will Win
The Monarch offense is about the scheme as much as the players, to a point, but losing Joseph to run it all is a problem.
The same goes for USF. Star quarterback Byrum Brown might be coaching in this instead of working under center, but the attack has other weapons. The Bulls have a deep group of backs, and the backup quarterbacks – most notably, Gaston Moore – have the tools to keep one of the nation’s best attacks going.
Defensive line coach Kevin Patrick taking over the head coaching duties might put even more of an emphasis on the front and the run defense.
The Bulls might not have the best defense going, but they’re fine as long as they’re not getting ripped on the ground. Who ran on this bunch? Navy, with the No. 1 ground attack in the nation, and Miami with an NFL offensive front – no shame there.
No one else got past 155 yards on the Bulls, but …
Why Old Dominion Will Win
The Monarchs are outstanding at running the ball, partly because the offensive front is technically phenomenal.
It’s partly due to the style, but the Old Dominion line doesn’t allow much happening in the backfield, and the runners usually get up a decent head of steam before having to make something happen.
No, Joseph isn’t around, but backup Quinn Henicle is big, can move, and has just enough time logged in to know what he’s doing.
And then there’s the Old Dominion pass rush – it brings the heat from all angles.
Yes, the USF offense should be okay without Brown, but the backfield has to deal with one of the nation’s best teams in sacks, tackles for loss, pressures, and third down stops.
Ten different Monarchs contributed to one of the best pass rushes in the nation, led by a deep linebacking corps that keeps on coming.
USF vs Old Dominion Prediction, Betting Lines
This will still be wildly entertaining, even with the star quarterbacks gone and the USF coaching staff undergoing an overhaul.
Old Dominion will be a little more together thanks to the more stable coaching staff, but there’s one big problem – turnovers.
USF might not have the best defense going, but it attacks, and it takes the ball away in bunches. Old Dominion might have a dangerous offense that explodes, but it gives it up over and over again – that won’t get a lot better with a new quarterback under center.
Both offenses will work. This will be a fun show, and it’ll be one of the better early bowls, entertainment-wise. Three Old Dominion turnovers will be the tipping point the other way.
USF 34, Old Dominion 27
Line: USF -5.5, o/u: 55.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Must See Rating: 3.5
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This story was originally published by College Football News on Dec 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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