While many Syracuse fans (rightfully so) see 5-0 and a ranked matchup vs. NC State brewing up ahead, with all due respect to Wagner, I believe this is the real trap game. Currently, SU is the overwhelming favorite (84% win probability according to ESPN, -10 on the spread for CBS Sports), but even 6 months ago, this would have been a pick em game and one of those e sential ACC matchups for the Orange. Some of these matchups below will go a long way in Cuse securing a not-so-secretly important win vs. the Cavaliers. SS Lex Long vs. QB Garrett Shrader True sophomore Lex Long fills a hybrid linebacker/safety role similar to the ROVER spot in Tony Whites defense, and hes been stellar so far in it. Hes led the Cavs the past 2 games in tackles, and the former high school WR has an INT already this year and the Darius Miller Jersey requisite ball skills to get another on Friday. His physicality in the box and nose for the ball, as well as being a high-functioning DB as an undercla smen, should remind fans a lot of JaHad Carter. Physically imposing at 62 and a solid 215-220, he flys around the field, and after Shraders 17 rushing attempts last week, he may want to be mindful of raking up hits, especially from Long. Long is the an X-factor on defense in both the run and pa s game, and Shrader may need to be weary of #3 roaming the secondary and causing havoc in the box. Speaking of Shrader, after last weeks performance, I know hell be eager to make up for last weeks performance, and I can imagine that meaning pushing some balls downfield and trying to get some chunk plays. For Cuse, he needs to make sure to stay with himself and take what the defense gives him in order to avoid the the inefficiency and mistakes that plagued Jahlil Okafor Jersey him vs. Purdue.LB Nick Jackson vs. RB Sean Tucker Virginia has their own version of Mikel Jones, and Nick Jackson is every bit as impactful on and off the field for the Cavaliers in the same way Kel is for The Mob. The Atlanta native and the ACCs top tackler last year with 117 stops, hes a traditional down-hill thumper in the vein of former Alabama LB great Reggie Ragland. Hes been the leader of this UVA defense that has continued its stellar play after a strong 2021, and his performance and leadership is even more important with a Virginia offense that seems Eric Bledsoe Jersey stuck in the mud to start the year. By virtue of his nose for the ball and amount of snaps hell have, Jackson should have at least 8 tackles, the big question is if theyll be coming after long chunk plays from Tuck, or will be stonewalling him similarly to what Purdue did last week. Tucker hasnt looked like himself outside of the Louisville game this year, and if he plans to maintain any legitimacy in his Heisman campaign and spot as one of CFBs best backs, he needs one of those 18 carries, 142 yards, two touchdown stat-lines to remind everybody how dangerous he is and to re-a sure worried SU fans. One decided advantage that Tucker should have is catching the ball and playing in space, as Jackson can be tight-hipped and isnt super agile and laterally quick in open-field scenarios. With Tucks development as a receiver in camp and through the first three games, that could be a way to hit some of those home runs weve been mi sing the past couple of weeks and ensure that #34 is #PL34SED with his performance after Friday.WR Dontavyion Wicks vs. CB Duce Chestnut Scroll to ContinueFormer Mi si sippi State Bulldog Keytaon Thompson is the closest youll see to Deebo Samuel in the ACC. Having started his collegiate career as a highly recruited QB out of New Orleans powerhouse Landry-Walker, Thompson has put together an impre sive resume going into his fifth year, which includes beating Lamar Jackson in a bowl game in his first ever start and being named second team All-ACC in 2021. Thompson and 67 UVA wideout Lavel Davis, whos Jrue Holiday Jersey second on the team this year with 203 receiving yards, will both be tall, lanky red zone and mismatch problems, so I expect GW to split time between those two. However, the matchup between each units respective number two, Wicks and Chestnut, should be intriguing and further determine the outcome of Fridays matchup. Wicks, the 62 WR from the Baton Rouge area, set Virginia's single-season receiving yards record last year, totaling over 1,200 yards, 59 catches, and nine touchdowns en route to first-team all-ACC honors and a spot on the Maxwell Award preseason list. However, hes been troubled with a bad case of drops this year, with a whopping five through two games after four all of last season. Chestnut has been solid this year, but he mi sed a crucial tackle in the fourth quarter against Purdue that set up Purdues last touchdown and very nearly cost Cuse the game. This will be far and away the most complete and talented group of wideouts Cuse has faced, but Duce will be tasked with keeping a guy in check thats kept himself in check through the first quarter of the season. If Wicks catches a couple of balls and gets some confidence, hes an experienced and talented guy with the potential to wreck a defense by himself. With GW having his hands full with Davis and Thompson, itll be key for Sub Zero to keep Wicks on the cold spell hes been Elfrid Payton Jersey on.SUPPORT ALL SYRACUSE