Following a stretch of underwhelming seasons, the South Florida Bulls enjoyed their best performance since 2017 by winning nine out of 12 regular-season games. They have the opportunity to secure a third consecutive bowl victory and fifth in six tries, though they’ll be led by interim head coach Kevin Patrick and backup quarterback Gaston Moore in the Cure Bowl against Old Dominion. Patrick stepped in after Alex Goresh left for Auburn, and Moore is starting in place of the impressive Byram Brown, who has chosen to sit out.
South Florida, which dominated Rice 52-3 in their final regular-season game, has scored 86 points over its last two bowl contests. Under Goresh, the Bulls have an 8-4 bowl record, with notable wins including a 45-0 rout of Syracuse and a thrilling 41-39 five-overtime victory over San Jose State. This marks Old Dominion’s fourth bowl appearance, with a mixed history of one win and two losses.
On the same day, Louisiana and Delaware State will compete in the 68th Ventures Bowl, with Louisiana entering the game with momentum after four straight wins. The Ragin’ Cajuns boast a strong running game, while Delaware State is making its first bowl appearance since 1982.
In NBA action, the Timberwolves aim to extend their recent success against the Grizzlies, while the NHL features the Carolina Hurricanes, who lead the Metropolitan Division, visiting the Nashville Predators in a matchup anticipated to be low-scoring. College basketball also highlights a game between Vanderbilt and Memphis, where Vanderbilt looks to maintain its unbeaten season.
Betting odds favor South Florida by three points over Old Dominion, Louisiana by 2.5 points over Delaware, and Minnesota by 7.5 points over Memphis, with other projections suggesting low-scoring games in both NBA and NHL matchups.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for hockey fans as the Carolina Hurricanes, with their impressive winning streak and divisional lead, face a tough test against the Predators, potentially shaping the playoff landscape. The game’s predicted low scoring reflects the intense defensive battles that are increasingly defining the modern NHL, showing the sport’s evolving strategic depth.
