USC defensive tackle Jide Abasiri isn’t pretending the Oct. 31 matchup with No. 2 Ohio State is just another game. He knows what’s sitting in front of the Trojans, and he keeps coming back to the same point: the team that plays with more force up front is probably the one that walks away happy.
“I think every game just comes down to who's the most physical team. I mean, it's a dangerous game and very physical game," Abasiri said about USC's tough opponent. "It's won at the line of scrimmage, so the physical team wins 99 percent of the time.”
Ohio State’s offensive line is built around experience, with center Carson Hinzman and guards Luke Montgomery and Austin Siereveld leading the way. Hinzman has nearly 2,000 starting reps, and that group has helped the Buckeyes’ run game reach 4.3 yards per carry. Still, the unit has also given up 11 sacks this season.
For Abasiri, the setting matters less than the atmosphere around it. The game will be at the Coliseum, and he said the presence of USC supporters can only help.
“I mean, for me personally, I feel like it doesn't matter to me where I play, but definitely having the Trojans family out there for sure helps us execute better,” Abasiri said about the game being at the Coliseum.
He also made clear he’s not on board with the idea of USC fans storming the field the way Wisconsin supporters did.
“Not very excited, to be honest," Abasiri said when asked if he wants to see USC fans storm the field like the Wisconsin fans. "I feel like SC just has such a prestigious history and legacy. Storming the field, I feel like wouldn't be something of SC’s culture just because of the history we have here and the expectations we have here.”
The junior defensive tackle brushed off the idea that the Trojans are carrying unusual pressure into the game.
“No. I feel like every game's the same," Abasiri said when asked if the team feels pressure heading into the game.
"Doesn't really matter who we lose to or who we win against. For me, I just want to win every game, so nothing really changes for me.”
Abasiri’s own path to this point included a leg injury heading into Week 6, but he still suited up in a key stretch for USC. The Trojans beat Penn State 31-23 in that game, and then the bye week gave him time to recover.
“I think it was really important, not just physically but also mentally. All the weeks in a row of just football and school kind of get in autopilot sometimes. So being able to have that reset, get my body back and get my mental back was really helpful for me.”
He also had praise for a pair of younger players in the program. Abasiri called true freshman Luke a “freak of nature,” and said the development he’s seen has stood out.
“Yeah, Luke is definitely like a freak of nature. Just seeing him improve has been really great. His footwork, his overall knowledge of the game and his humbleness as a overall player has been something that's great to see,” Abasiri said about the true freshman.
Abasiri also pointed to the impact of the Michigan State transfer, saying he has helped the defensive tackle room stay tight when things get tough.
“He definitely brings us closer together as a whole unit. When everything starts pushing against you as a team, the only thing you got is the team," Abasiri said about the Michigan State transfer.
"So just having him helps keep everyone together, especially the [defensive tackle] room. It's been really nice to have him step up as a leader.”
Two other young players have caught his eye as well. Abasiri said he has seen steady growth from Keenyi Pepe and Manoah Leiato, and he’s eager to see where they go from here.
“Yeah, I would definitely say [Keenyi Pepe] has been getting a lot better. [Manoah Leiato] has been getting a lot better as well. Seeing those guys and going against them every day, they always give a great look and I'm just excited to see the future for them.”
Pepe is a 6-7, 330-pound freshman lineman from IMG Academy and a Long Beach native who was a five-star recruit and All-American in high school. Leiato is a 6-2, 225-pound freshman tight end from Mater Dei.
In Other News...
JuJu Watkins And USC Hoops Are Giving Trojans Fans Something Football Can't
While USC football was slogging through a loss to Wisconsin that included negative 17 rushing yards, the mood around campus got a much-needed lift from the Galen Center. The womens basketball teams exhibition win over UC Berkeley offered a sharper, brighter preview of what could be ahead, with Saniyah Hall, Jazzy Davidson and JuJu Watkins all drawing attention in front of a strong fan turnout.
For Trojans fans, it was the kind of contrast that stings and soothes at the same time. Football is still searching for answers after one of its roughest offensive nights in years, but the womens program is giving the fan base something different to believe in, and the early signs suggest this group can carry real momentum well into the season. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Suddenly Enters The Lincoln Riley Coaching Carousel Talk
Lincoln Rileys name has barely had time to settle into the USC conversation before the next round of coaching carousel chatter began, and this one reaches well beyond Los Angeles. After the Trojans recent loss and an uneven stretch that has raised questions about the direction of the program, Riley is suddenly being mentioned in connection with Big 12 openings, including Baylor and TCU, even as USC sits at 6-2 and still has plenty left in front of it.
For USC, the timing is what makes the speculation feel especially uneasy. The Trojans still have a demanding finish ahead, including a key matchup with Ohio State, and the outcomes there could shape how the season is remembered and how much noise follows Riley into the winter. Insiders have pointed to prior interest and the possibility of change depending on what happens next, which is enough to keep this story alive even before any real decision is on the table. [Read more 🡒]
Lincoln Riley Just Raised The Stakes On USCs Brutal Stretch
After a rough run and a growing sense of urgency around the program, Lincoln Riley made it clear he still sees USC moving in the right direction. The Trojans have not had the kind of recent results anyone around the program wanted, and the path to the College Football Playoff has been tougher than expected, but Riley pointed to the foundation being built under his watch, from a top recruiting class to upgraded facilities.
Jen Cohens arrival as athletic director has also given Riley another important layer of support as USC tries to steady itself through a punishing stretch on the schedule. The next run of games will tell a lot about how far the Trojans have come, because it is coming against ranked Big Ten opponents and will test both the roster and the coachs belief that the progress behind the scenes is starting to show up where it matters most. [Read more 🡒]