Improved A&M defense hopes to stymie familiar foe in RB Derrius Guice

You’re in a crowded room. People stare. They point. They whisper among themselves. Suddenly, to your complete humiliation, it becomes clear why they’re staring, pointing and whispering.

You’re naked.

Then you wake up.

According to sleep scientists, the most common recurring nightmares involve falling, being chased, being late, losing teeth and futilely seeking a restroom.

Who these scientists are and where they’re located is uncertain. But if they were based in College Station, they might add to the list of recurring nightmares a certain slashing purple phantom that breaks the Aggies' hearts and spirits.

That would be LSU junior running back Derrius Guice — the Aggies’ version of Freddie Krueger.

Two years ago, the Aggies held a 7-6 third quarter lead over LSU in Baton Rouge. Then, Guice — at that time a backup to Leonard Fournette — exploded for a 50-yard touchdown run. Guice finished with 73 yards on 10 carries as the Tigers won, 19-7.

Lindsay Caudle, TexAgs

Guice has tormented the Aggies in each of the last two seasons, racking up a total of 363 yards and five touchdowns in their November meetings.

Last year, Guice ran 45 yards for a touchdown on the fourth play of the game.

He had another 45-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

He had two additional short touchdown runs en route to a school record 285 rushing yards as the Bayou Bengals prevailed in College Station, 54-39.

In two games against the Aggies, Guice has averaged nearly 8 yards per carry in rushing for 363 yards and five touchdowns.

By the way, in 2015 he also returned a kickoff 75 yards.

The Aggies (7-4) get another — and hopefully final — look at Guice on Saturday in Baton Rouge. Their ability or futility in containing him likely will be the difference in victory or defeat.

“Guice is a problem,” Texas A&M defensive tackle Kingsley Keke said on Tuesday. “He’s a tough running back. He always runs hard. We have to be mentally sound, (execute) gap technique, everything. We’ll be ready to play.”

None would question whether the Aggies will be ready and willing to face Guice. But are they now able to contain him?

“Obviously, we’re a better defense now,” Keke said. “We’re a better tackling defense than we were last year. Last year we had the right calls and everything against him; we just didn’t wrap up the running back, Guice. That’s what we have to do this year.”

A&M is definitely better defensively than a year ago. Statistics bear that out. A year ago, the Aggies were ranked 80th nationally in run defense. They allowed an average of 191.7 yards per game. This year they’ve shaved 35 yards off that average. They’re ranked 56th and allow 158.2 yards.

Keke and tackle Zaycoven Henderson are having strong years. Linebackers Tyrel Dodson and Otaro Alaka are, too. Both are among the SEC’s top 10 in tackles for loss.

There is no doubt A&M is better equipped to take on a back of Guice’s caliber. However, the fact remains that six of A&M’s seven SEC opponents have exceeded 200 rushing yards.

That includes light-running Ole Miss. In their 31-24 victory over the Rebels last week, the Aggies allowed 202 rushing yards — most of them in the first half.

Perhaps the Aggies will rise up and find a way to contain the LSU running game. Guice is not 100-percent healthy, though he’s close to fully recovered from a left leg injury that slowed him down earlier this season.

In fact, last week he gained just 97 yards against Tennessee’s woeful run defense, though that might have something to do with the monsoon in which the game was played.

LSU also has two true freshmen starters in its rather ordinary offensive line. Ed Ingram has started almost the entire season at right guard. Saahdiq Charles has started the last five games at left tackle in place of injured K.J. Malone, who will likely try to start for the Tigers’ Senior Day.

A&M’s defense figures to have an advantage up front. The Aggies must capitalize on it. They must control the line of scrimmage. They must contract running lanes. They must fill gaps. Perhaps they can get into the backfield before Guice gets a head of steam.

If the Aggies can do that, they could end a five-game losing streak to LSU. If not … well, it could be another nightmare.

But at least it wouldn’t be as bad as being naked in public.