Old Dominion vs. South Florida Opt-Out Tracker, Transfers, Injuries, Starting Lineups, Best Bet for Cure Bowl
The South Florida Bulls will meet the Old Dominion Monarchs as slight favorites in a game of backup Quarterbacks in the Cure Bowl on Wednesday, December 17th. Who will be in the starting lineup or sitting out in this Old Dominion vs. South Florida opt-out tracker for the Cure Bowl? Peter Alexis breaks it all down.
Peter Alexis - December 17, 2025, 11:00 AM EST
6 Minute ReadOld Dominion vs. South Florida Preview: Who Is Opting-Out, Injured for Cure Bowl on Wednesday, December 17th
The Cure Bowl brings together two 9-3 teams in Old Dominion and South Florida, but this matchup looks very different than it did just a week ago. The headline storyline is at quarterback, where both teams will be without the players who powered their offensive success all season. Old Dominion sophomore Colton Joseph and South Florida star Byrum Brown have both opted out ahead of the bowl, drastically reshaping how this game is expected to play out on Wednesday afternoon in Orlando.
Brown’s absence is especially notable given his impact on South Florida’s resurgence over the past two seasons. The dual threat quarterback gave new life to the program and helped fuel the Bulls to the #3 scoring offense in the country at over 41 points per game. His decision to opt out, along with an ongoing coaching transition, caused the betting market to react quickly. This line opened South Florida -7.5 and has since crashed down to -3 following confirmation that Brown, head coach Alex Golesh, and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon will not be part of this game.
Old Dominion enters in a different position. While Joseph has also opted out and will enter the transfer portal, the Monarchs arrive with momentum and stability elsewhere. They have not lost since mid October, winning five straight games and four in a row by double digits. With fewer key losses across the roster and a defense that has quietly ranked among the nation’s best, Old Dominion looks like a team catching value in a bowl game shaped by disruption and uncertainty on the other sideline.
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Old Dominion vs. South Florida Date, Time, and Where to Watch Cure Bowl
- Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
Old Dominion vs. South Florida Odds
Cure Bowl | Odds |
|---|---|
Old Dominion +3 (-110) | South Florida -3 (-110) |
Old Dominion ML (+125) | South Florida ML (-150) |
Over 51.5 Total Points | Under 51.5 Total Points |
Click here for the latest Old Dominion vs. South Florida Odds
Old Dominion vs. South Florida Opt-Outs Tracker & Injuries
Old Dominion Opt-Outs
- Starting QB Colton Joseph
Joseph intends to sit out the bowl game before entering the transfer portal, freshman Quinn Henicle likely to start start. Henicle has one career start.
Old Dominion Injuries
- CB Botros Alisandro (last played in Week 10)
- RB Maurki James (164 snaps; will not play)
- WR Titus Myers (42 snaps; will not play)
USF Opt-Outs
- QB Byrum Brown
- CB Kajuan Banks (88 snaps)
Star QB Byrum Brown will serve as an assistant coach in this game after opting out. Gaston Moore will start.
USF Injuries
- S Tavin Ward (missed final two games)
- CB James Chenault (last played in Week 11)
- DE Dennard Flowers (missed finale)
- WR Chas Nimrod (last played in Week 7; will not play)
- WR Christian Neptune (last played in Week 12; will not play)
- TE Weston Wolff (111 snaps; will not play)
- RB Cartevious Norton (hurt W6; will not play)
- WR Kory Pettigrew (55 snaps; will not play)
- WR Jaden Alexis (29 snaps; will not play)
- WR Brandon Winton (22 snaps; will not play)
USF Coaching Change
Former head coach Alex Golesh is off to Auburn and will not coach in this game, nor will offensive coordinator Joel Gordon. Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline was hired to replace Golesh, but will not start coaching until after this game.
Old Dominion vs. South Florida Odds Breakdown - Cure Bowl
This matchup still features a fascinating contrast in identities, even with both quarterbacks sidelined. Old Dominion and South Florida both rank inside the top 10 nationally in rushing yards per game, with ODU 8th at 234 yards per game and USF 9th at 223. The ground game strength on both sides starts up front, with strong offensive lines and a commitment to physical football. However, it is important to note that the quarterbacks were the leading rushers for both teams, each finishing just over 1,000 rushing yards and separated by a single yard on the season.
Without those dynamic runners, both offenses will be forced to adapt. For Old Dominion, freshman Quinn Henicle is expected to start under center. Henicle has just one career start, but he steps into a system that still has its core rushing identity intact. South Florida will counter with Gaston Moore at quarterback, while Byrum Brown remains involved only as an assistant coach on the sideline. The bigger concern for the Bulls is how the offense functions without Brown’s explosiveness and without the coaching staff that built the scheme around him.
Defensively, Old Dominion holds a clear edge on paper. The Monarchs rank inside the top 20 nationally in both points allowed per game and yards allowed, while South Florida sits closer to the middle of the pack around 50th. While USF faced a tougher schedule in the American compared to ODU in the Sun Belt, the gap becomes more meaningful when factoring in the long list of offensive injuries and opt outs for the Bulls, particularly at wide receiver and running back.
Old Dominion vs. South Florida Best Bet
- Pick: Old Dominion +3 (-110) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
Despite the market move, the public continues to lean toward South Florida, even after losing its head coach, offensive coordinator, and star quarterback. That level of disruption is rarely ideal in a bowl setting. While backup quarterback play will matter on both sides, Old Dominion holds the defensive edge, the momentum edge, and enters with far fewer critical absences. The Monarchs are stable, motivated, and playing their best football of the season. Getting a full field goal in a game defined by uncertainty makes Old Dominion +3 the right side in the Cure Bowl.
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