The Old Dominion Monarchs (9-3) and South Florida Bulls (9-3) square off in the 11th edition of the StaffDNA Cure Bowl, a matchup blending Sun Belt grit with AAC flair in a fundraiser supporting cancer research (over $6.35 million raised since 2015). ODU, riding a five-game win streak into their second straight bowl under coach Ricky Rahne, boasts a high-powered ground game but faces QB uncertainty. USF, seeking a third consecutive bowl victory under interim coach Kevin Patrick, counters with explosive dual-threat play but must navigate the absence of star QB Byrum Brown. This first-ever meeting tips toward a track meet, with USF’s tempo (68 plays/game) testing ODU’s bend-but-don’t-break D (28.3 PPG allowed). Kickoff is at 5:00 p.m. ET from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida (capacity 65,000; opened 1936, renovated 2014). The neutral-site gem, home to the Citrus Bowl, expects a pro-USF crowd (Florida proximity) but ODU’s alumni base could flip it rowdy.
Broadcast: ESPN (national); streaming on ESPN+ and Fubo. Tickets average $55 (Vivid Seats); parking $20.
Weather Forecast
Orlando’s mid-December forecast calls for mild, fan-friendly conditions: partly cloudy skies at kickoff with temperatures around 62°F, dropping to 58°F by halftime. Winds SE at 7-8 mph, humidity 57%, and a 10% chance of evening showers—minimal disruption on the renovated grass field. Dress light with a jacket for late; no lightning risks projected.
Team Records and Standings
Mirror-image records mask stylistic clashes: ODU’s run-heavy identity (198 rush YPG) vs. USF’s pass-first attack (285 pass YPG). USF edges in strength of schedule (45th nationally vs. ODU’s 78th).
| Team | Overall Record | Conference Record | Sun Belt/AAC Rank | ATS Record | O/U Record |
| Old Dominion Monarchs | 9-3 | 6-2 (East) | 2nd East | 7-5 | 6-6 |
| South Florida Bulls | 9-3 | 6-2 (East) | 3rd East | 6-6 | 7-5 |
Recent Team Forms
ODU surges late with defensive stops (held foes under 20 in 4/5 wins); USF stumbles in close ones (2-2 in one-score games) but erupts offensively (52 PPG last 3 wins).
Old Dominion Monarchs Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (ODU) |
| Dec. 5 | vs. JMU | L 27-63 | 312 total yds, 3 TOs, 33% 3rd down |
| Nov. 29 | @ USM | W 41-24 | 456 total yds, 2 sacks, 67% red zone |
| Nov. 22 | vs. GAST | W 31-19 | 389 total yds, 1 TO, 55% conv. |
| Nov. 15 | @ ULM | W 35-20 | 478 total yds, 2 INTs, 50% 3rd down |
| Nov. 8 | vs. TXST | L 24-41 | 285 total yds, 2 TOs, 41% conv. |
- Form Summary: 3-2. Averaging 31.6 PPG scored/33.4 allowed. Five-game streak snapped in Sun Belt title; rushing dominance (212 YPG) masks passing woes (58% comp.).
South Florida Bulls Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (USF) |
| Nov. 29 | vs. RICE | W 52-3 | 512 total yds, 4 TDs pass, 75% conv. |
| Nov. 22 | @ UAB | W 48-18 | 421 total yds, 3 TOs forced, 60% 3rd |
| Nov. 15 | @ NAVY | L 38-41 | 389 total yds, 2 INTs, OT loss |
| Nov. 8 | vs. UTSA | W 55-23 | 478 total yds, 5 rush TDs, 67% red |
| Nov. 1 | @ MEM | L 24-31 | 342 total yds, 3 sacks, 44% conv. |
- Form Summary: 3-2. Averaging 43.4 PPG scored/23.2 allowed. Bowl-bound momentum with 3 straight wins pre-loss; explosive passing (3,158 yds from Brown pre-opt-out).
Conference vs. Conference: Sun Belt vs. AAC
The AAC dominates all-time (58-22 overall, 72.5% win rate vs. Sun Belt), averaging 33.8-24.6 scores. In bowls, AAC leads 13-8 (62%) since 2013, with overs in 55% (avg. total 58.4 points). Sun Belt’s uptick (6-4 in last 10 neutral sites) favors underdogs like ODU, but AAC’s tempo edges high-scoring tilts.Injury ReportOpt-outs and nagging issues hit both: USF loses QB Brown (3,158 pass/1,008 rush yds) to NFL prep, thrusting Gaston Moore (1,200 pass yds) into spotlight. ODU’s LB corps thins without Henderson.
Old Dominion Monarchs Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury/Notes |
| Goose Crowder (QB) | Questionable | Ankle (limited in champ game) |
| Jason Henderson (LB) | Out | Undisclosed (season-ending) |
| Koa Naotala (LB) | Questionable | Undisclosed (week-to-week) |
| Botros Alisandro (CB) | Questionable | Undisclosed (practice limited) |
| Maurki James (RB) | Questionable | Undisclosed (missed 2 games) |
| Titus Myers (WR) | Questionable | Undisclosed (since Nov.) |
South Florida Bulls Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury/Notes |
| Byrum Brown (QB) | Out | Personal (NFL draft prep) |
| Kory Pettigrew (WR) | Questionable | Undisclosed (since Nov. 29) |
| Derek Bowman (OL) | Questionable | Undisclosed (week-to-week) |
| Dennard Flowers (DE) | Questionable | Undisclosed (limited snaps) |
| Boogsie Silvera (DB) | Out | Undisclosed (season-ending) |
Key Player Matchups
Neutral site amplifies stars: USF’s speed vs. ODU’s physicality in trenches.
- Gaston Moore (USF QB, 1,200 pass yds, 8 TD; starting) vs. ODU Secondary (led by CB Botros Alisandro, Q): Moore’s arm (62% comp.) tests a unit allowing 220 pass yds/gm; Alisandro’s coverage (2 INT) key if active. Edge: Moore—projected 250+ yds in debut start.
- Jordan Fuller (ODU RB, 1,056 rush yds, 9 TD) vs. USF Front (DE Dennard Flowers, Q): Fuller’s vision (5.1 YPC) exploits gaps without Flowers; USF yields 3.9 YPC. Edge: Fuller—over 100 rush yds, 120+ projected.
- Chas Nimrod (USF WR, 912 rec yds, 8 TD) vs. ODU CBs: Nimrod’s routes (15.2 YPC) vs. depleted secondary; deep threat feasts on bends. Edge: Nimrod—over 75 rec yds.
- **Jason Henderson (ODU LB, Out) Impact: Without him, USF’s Montrell Johnson (RB, 812 yds) carves lanes vs. thin LBs. Edge: Johnson—double-digit carries for 80+ yds.
Bonus Watch: ODU’s Roman Mothershed (WR, 912 yds) hunts mismatches vs. USF’s DBs.
Series History
First-ever meeting—no prior clashes since ODU’s FBS transition (2014) and USF’s hiatus (2019-21). Neutral-site debut adds intrigue; avg. G5 vs. G5 bowl score 27.4-24.1. Hypothetical trends: USF 2-1 vs. Sun Belt in bowls; ODU 1-0 in AAC matchups.
Head-to-Head Meetings: N/A (0-0). First encounter.
- Trend: N/A. Bowls for programs: ODU 1-1 SU/ATS (50%); USF 2-1 SU/ATS (66.7%). Overs in 60% of USF bowls.
Betting Trends
- Old Dominion: 7-5 ATS (58.3%); 4-3 ATS as dog (57.1%). 6-6 O/U; overs in 4/6 road/neutral. 1-1 ATS in bowls.
- South Florida: 6-6 ATS (50%); 3-3 ATS as fave (50%). 7-5 O/U; overs in 5/7 AAC games. 2-1 ATS in bowls.
- Head-to-Head: N/A (first meeting).
- Public/Sharp: 58% bets on USF ML (62% handle); sharps on ODU +3.5 (55% handle). Bowl overs hit 55% for AAC teams.
Historical Betting Results
As the inaugural matchup, no direct history. AAC vs. Sun Belt bowls: AAC 13-8 ATS (61.9%), avg. total 58.4 (over 55%). ODU 1-1 ATS in bowls (50%); USF 2-1 (66.7%). Last 10 neutral G5 vs. G5: 6-4 O/U (60% over).
Game Odds
Old Dominion Monarchs 53
South Florida Bulls – 3
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Tuesday, December 16, 2025
