The new Ryan Field is finally, finally finally Friday night makes its debut as the home of the Northwestern Wildcats, and the most expensive college stadium ever built was certainly worth the wait.
The $870 million state-of-the-art stadium has a capacity of 35,000 spectators – all protected from the weather – 200,000 square meters of parks and squares and two 5,000 square meter video boards. Not bad for a program with the most losses in college football history.
The Wildcats (2-1, 0-1 in the Big Ten) host Penn State (3-1, 0-1) for their first game in their shiny new home.
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Both teams are coming off their first losses of the season, but Northwestern should feel better about the loss than the Nittany Lions. The Wildcats gave it all to defending national champion and No. 5 Indiana State in a 29-23 loss in Bloomington, NC. Meanwhile, Penn State gave up two touchdowns to Wisconsin in the final four minutes and blew a 17-point lead in a 24-20 loss.
Even so, the Nittany Lions are 2.5 points spread betting Favorites over the Wildcats.
While Northwestern’s game against Penn State is the focus on Friday, there are other sports betting options, including a partial college football schedule and five NHL games. Below is an overview of what to watch and what to bet on the best sports betting appsFor Friday, October 2. Eastern all the time.
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The best college football bets, where to watch
Freedom in Delaware
Time: 7 p.m Location: Newark, Del TV: CBSSN | Broadcast: Fubo (try it for free)
SportsLine option — Model: Delaware +6.5
Since becoming an FBS program in 2025, the Blue Hens have been a much different team at home than they are on the road. They are 7-1 at home and are averaging 35.5 points per game while giving up 23.6. 1-7 on the road, scoring 20.7 points per game and coughing up 37.4 points per game. On Friday, they will face a Flames team that has lost just one game this season, but that loss came on the road at James Madison. The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every college football game 10,000 times, said Delaware has an 82% chance to cover and assigned a ‘B’ grade to the Blue Hens +6.5.
Pitt at Virginia Tech
Time: 7 p.m Location: Blackburg, Va. | TV: ESPN | Broadcast: Fubo (try it for free)
SportsLine option — Model: Virginia Tech -2.5 | Expert: Virginia Tech -2 (Micah Roberts)
A total of 22 teams remain undefeated and two of them collide on Friday when the Hokies (4-0, 1-0 in the ACC) host the Panthers (4-0, 1-0). Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel has played at the level of his competition this season. In two games against non-Power Four teams, he is averaging 428 passing yards per game while throwing 13 touchdowns against zero catches. In two games against Power Four teams, he’s averaging 167.5 passing yards and has zero touchdowns and one interception. The SportsLine Projection Model says Virginia Tech has a 54% chance to cover and gives Virginia Tech a ‘C’ grade. point spread bet -2.5 line. Micah Roberts agrees. “Electric atmosphere at night in Blacksburg,” he told SportsLine.
Penn State at Northwestern
Time: 8 p.m Location: Evanston, Ill TV: FOX | Broadcast: Fubo (try it for free)
SportsLine option — Model: Penn State – 139
Could some of the money spent on New Ryan Field go toward improving the Wildcats’ run defense? Northwestern has been crushed this season, giving up 199.3 yards per game, which ranks 128th in the nation. That’s bad news against a Penn State offense that averages 183.5 rushing yards per game. The SportsLine Projection Model says the Nittany Lions have a 65% chance to win and assigns Penn State a strong “A” grade. money line bet coefficients -139.
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NHL best bets, where to watch
Rangers at Red Wings
Time: 6:30 p.m Location: Detroit | TV: TNT/truTV | Broadcast: Fubo (try it for free)
SportsLine option — Model: Above 5.5 | Expert: Red Wings -130 (Matt Severance)
Detroit, which has the NHL’s longest playoff drought (10 seasons), opens its season Friday against the Rangers. The Red Wings sat out Saturday’s final preseason game and got a good rest. Meanwhile, the Blueshirts are already playing the second half of a back-to-back after defeating the Lightning on Thursday in New York. SportsLine’s Matt Severance notes that rookie Dylan Garand won’t mind the net for the Rangers on Friday. “He was very good last year, but (only) made three starts and (that) was when the Blueshirts were eliminated for a long time,” Severance told SportsLine. Meanwhile, the SportsLine Projection Model says the teams have a 51.1% chance of combining for 6 or more goals and gives Ust a B grade. Over/under bet Line 5.5.
Capitals in hurricanes
Time: 7 p.m Location: Raleigh, NC | TV: ESPN+ | Broadcast: Fubo (try it for free)
SportsLine option — Model: Initials +1.5 -205 | Expert: Hurricanes -143 (Matt Severance)
The defending Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes will look to bounce back from a ring night loss when they host the Capitals. Despite losing 1-0 to Florida, Carolina committed all seven penalties and allowed just one goal. Severance notes that Washington goaltender Logan Thompson was not as good on the road (12-12) as he was at home (19-9) last season. In addition, Severance told SportsLine that “Alex Ovechkin is likely to open his final season sidelined with an injury that affected him in the preseason.” The SportsLine Projection Model strongly disagrees. That means Washington has a 66% chance and gives the Capitals a +1.5 (-205) ‘B’ grade at the puck line.