Cure Bowl Quarterback Absences Shift Outlook for Old Dominion vs South Florida

Both teams will miss their starting quarterbacks when they meet in the 2025 Cure Bowl in Orlando. Old Dominion will play without Colton Joseph, and South Florida will play without Byrum Brown. The game takes place Wednesday at Camping World Stadium. Coaches and players now face a very different matchup than expected. The main keyword for this article is Cure Bowl.

The absences changed the tone of the week. According to Reuters, betting lines moved fast once Brown’s status became clear. South Florida went from a strong favorite to a smaller 3.5‑point favorite. Both teams now depend on backups who have limited experience.

Cure Bowl Changes After Quarterback Opt-Outs

The loss of Brown is a major shift for South Florida. He led one of the top offenses in the country. He threw for more than 3,000 yards and ran for more than 1,000 yards this season. His play gave the Bulls speed and pressure in every game.

Now the team turns to Gaston Moore. He has played little this year. He must lead an offense that ranked near the top in yards per play. Moore has skill, but he has not guided the team through a full game with this system. That adds uncertainty for the Bulls.

Old Dominion also faces a change. Joseph will not play as he enters the transfer portal. The Monarchs will use redshirt freshman Quinn Henicle. He has thrown only a few passes this season. Coaches plan to lean on the ground game to help him settle in.

Old Dominion enters with a strong defense. It allows fewer than five yards per play. South Florida depends on explosive drives, so the matchup could slow down without Brown. Analysts from AP News and other outlets expect a tighter, lower‑scoring game.

How These Changes Shape the Game and Betting View

The Cure Bowl now looks like a defensive contest. South Florida has a strong run defense in wins. But in losses, the team allowed big gains on the ground. Old Dominion runs the ball well and may test that weakness early.

The coaching situation adds more uncertainty. South Florida lost head coach Alex Golesh to Auburn. The team will use interim staff for this game. Old Dominion has a stable staff and a recent contract extension for head coach Ricky Rahne. Stability can help in bowl season when preparation time is short.

Oddsmakers list South Florida as a small favorite. The total sits near 53. Most experts expect the Under to hit. With two backup quarterbacks and strong defenses, long drives may be rare. The team that protects the ball should gain control.

Fans may not see the same fast pace both teams showed all year. But the game could still be close and tough. Both teams won nine games. Both rely on hard running and strong fronts. That may define the bowl from start to finish.

The Cure Bowl now depends on depth, defense, and coaching stability. Old Dominion and South Florida enter with new challenges, but the matchup remains tight. The absence of star quarterbacks turns the Cure Bowl into a true test of discipline.

Dropping this nugget your way-

Q1: Who is favored to win the Cure Bowl?

South Florida is favored by 3.5 points. The line dropped after Byrum Brown was ruled out. Oddsmakers still give the Bulls a slight edge.

Q2: Why are both starting quarterbacks out?

Old Dominion’s Colton Joseph entered the transfer portal. South Florida’s Byrum Brown is out due to unresolved NIL matters. Both teams must use backup quarterbacks.

Q3: Will the Cure Bowl be low scoring?

Many analysts expect a lower score. Both teams have strong defenses and backup quarterbacks. Betting trends also point to the Under.

Q4: How does coaching change affect South Florida?

The Bulls lost their head coach to Auburn. Interim staff will lead the team for the bowl. This may affect game rhythm and preparation.

Q5: What gives Old Dominion an edge?

The team has staff stability and a strong defense. Those factors help in bowl games with short prep time. Their run game may also match well against South Florida.