Ole Miss Football 2017: 3 Takeaways from loss to LSU in Week 8

2. Derrius Guice is the best running back in the SEC

After battling through injuries early in the season it looks like Derrius Guice is finally healthy enough to contribute. And wow did he contribute on Saturday.

Guice carried the ball 22 times for 276 yards and a touchdown. That’s the third most yards in a single game in LSU history. Guice now owns three of the top four: 285 (A&M ’16), 276 Saturday vs Ole Miss and 252 (Ark ’16).

Maybe one of the Alabama running backs could produce a similar stat line if they were allowed 20 carries a game, but that’s not the case. No other running back in the SEC possess the combination of strength, size, speed and opportunity that Guice has at LSU. The Tiger offense has improved week to week under offensive coordinator Matt Canada, but it was clear today what the Tigers really want to do if given the opportunity: run the dang ball.

Last year, Playing in a complimentary role to current Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette, Guice led the SEC in rushing yards. The missed time has cut into his stat sheet thus far in 2017, but the skill and ability are still there.

If he can stay healthy for the rest of the season he’ll be able to cross the 1,000 yard mark once again. As long as LSU keeps winning and Guice keeps running, the Tigers’ lead back will find himself in the same conversations as Sqauon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor and Bryce Love soon enough.