Old Dominion Monarchs vs South Florida Bulls Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 12/17/25

Bowl games are decided less by talent and more by intent, and this matchup raises real questions about South Florida’s mindset. The Bulls entered November with legitimate College Football Playoff buzz, but that  momentum has since vanished quickly. Now, after head coach Alex Golesh departed for Auburn, USF finds itself in an early bowl game against a team that most would expect them to overpower just weeks ago. That’s the trap.

Old Dominion, however, views this game through a completely different lens. For the Monarchs, this isn’t a consolation prize — it’s an opportunity. A win here would mark one of the most significant achievements in program history, potentially delivering their second 10-win season since transitioning to Division I and their first in nearly a decade. Beating a team that once flirted with the top ten would validate the entire season. South Florida’s profile makes it dangerous from a betting perspective. They’ve been one of the most profitable teams in the country, and that success inflates perception. The market still treats them as a trustworthy favorite, but circumstances matter. Coaching turnover, postseason disappointment, and unclear motivation are all red flags in bowl settings. Said dynamic often decides these games. With urgency on one sideline and uncertainty on the other, we’ll back the team playing for meaning. ODU outright.

Old Dominion vs South Florida prediction: Old Dominion ML (+140) available at time of publishing. Playable at the number.

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