Ball Security: Five Turnovers That Changed The Outcome Of Five Games

That was some monster Saturday. 

More like disappointment Saturday. Granted there were a few close games, and basically all the close ones are in this article.

But the big slate that was supposed to be so huge was actually disappointing. For example, Oklahoma's shellacking of Florida State and Alabama's domination of Penn State. 

Again though there were some fun ones to watch including a Friday night thriller. But my goodness, where was the ball security? I watched all the games this weekend and the exciting ones were all decided by a terrible display of ball security. 

So here were the five game-changing, yes they changed the outcome of the game, I said it, turnovers. 

5. Marshall-West Virginia: Tron Martinez's Fumble

Before the Turnover: The Thundering Herd of Marshall got off to a good start and had a 14-3 lead at halftime thanks to two Brian Anderson touchdown passes including a 96-yarder to Aaron Dobson. Then it was another TD pass from Anderson in the fourth to give Marshall a 21-6 lead.

Then with just about 8:30 left on the clock Marshall was going in to put the game away and get the huge upset. They were on the four yard line as Anderson handed off to freshman running back Tron Martinez and then, it happened. 

The Turnover: Martinez got the hand-off and took it up the middle only to let it fall to the turf and into the possession of the West Virginia Mountaineers. But still, 21-6 late in the fourth quarter, this game was over right?

How it changed the game: Martinez's fumble led to an unbelievable drive of over 90 yards for West Va. Then with less then five minutes in the game Geno Smith led another drive of over 90 yards and scored with 12 ticks on the clock and then they got the two point conversion. The Mountaineers made the crazy comeback took it into overtime kicked a field goal on their first possession and Marshall kicker Tyler Warner pushed his wide right and West Va. escaped 24-21. 

What could have been: If Martinez doesn't fumble the ball the Herd either scores a TD or tacks on three points and basically puts the game out of reach and Marshall gets the upset.

Instead the fumble gave the #23 Mountaineers a chance and they narrowly escaped with the W. 

4. Tennessee-Oregon: Matt Simms Interception

Before the Turnover: The Vols came out firing and got the home crowd singing rocky top real early in the football game. They got off to a 13-3 lead only before a late charge by the Ducks tied it at 13-13 heading into halftime.

Then, early third quarter, LaMichael James ripped off a outstanding 72 yard run for a touchdown and gave Oregon a 20-13 lead.

Tennessee responded with a great drive into the red-zone looking to tie it back up, and then, it happened. 

The Turnover: During a 6 play 40 yard methodical 3:43 second drive by the Vols, Matt Simms faced a tough third down and as he dropped back, he was being rushed, got hit, and just chucked one up to a flat route near the side-line.

It was way too long of a throw for Simms to make with the pressure he faced and Cliff Harris of the Oregon Ducks easily picked it off and took it 76 yards to the house, silencing Neyland Stadium.

The Vols still had a chance, right?

How it changed the game: Simms'interception made it a 27-13 lead for the Ducks. Tennessee continued to attempt to move the football and score points, but they couldn't get it done.

After the turnover the Vols wouldn't score another point, they just gave up more, and more, and more, and lost 48-13. 

What could have been: If Matt Simms makes a smart play, the Vols either keep the drive alive or take three points and make it a game.

Who knows, maybe they could have pulled off an upset at home. Instead, the interception just allowed Oregon to take all the momentum and make the game look much uglier then it was. 

3. South Carolina-Georgia: Washaun Ealey's Fumble

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 11: Tailback Washaun Ealey #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. The Gamecocks beat the Bull

Before the Turnover: Not much offense from either squad in this game. South Carolina took the low-scoring game into halftime with a 14-3 lead.

Georgia came out in the third quarter with a field goal by All-American kicker Blair Walsh to make it a 14-6 game.

Georgia QB Aaron Murray seemed to be gaining confidence and giving the Dawgs a shot at this game. Murray led a beautiful late third quarter drive all the way down inside the ten yard-line with 3:34 remaining in the quarter when on 2nd and goal he handed it off to Washaun Ealey and then, it happened. 

The Turnover: Ealey got the ball and took it up the left side and coughed it up right into the hands of Gamecock Stephen Gilmore to end the Bulldogs chance of scoring on that drive. It was only 14-6 though; Georgia still had plenty of time to make it a game, right?

How it changed the game: Georgia would never come close to the end zone for the rest of the game and South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore pounded away the Bulldogs' hopes of starting off 1-0 in SEC play and finished the game winning 17-6. 

What could have been: If Ealey hangs on to the football, Georgia has got a legitimate shot at punching one in and making it a game. Maybe even going into Williams-Bryce Stadium and stealing a conference win without star wideout AJ Green.

Instead they lose, start off 0-1 in SEC play, and it only gets tougher from here. 

2. Ohio State-Miami: Jacory Harris' Interception

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes attempts a pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Before the Turnover: In a back and forth first half, both teams were being aggressive and going for the big play and it led to some big points.

Ohio St. made some huge late half plays to take a 26-17 into halftime.

Then in the second half, Jacory Harris led a great drive into Buckeye territory all the way to about the ten yard-line where Miami Hurricanes faced a huge third and goal with about 11:20 left in the third quarter.

Harris dropped back to pass he looked and looked and then, it happened. 

The Turnover: Harris didn't even see him coming. All he could say was his running back open out of the backfield with some room in front of him.

He threw and then "he," Cameron Heyward, the big fella, No. 97 from Ohio State, picked him off and took it all the way down into the red-zone and gave Terrelle Pryor great field position. It eventually led to a 13-yard scamper by Pryor to make it a 33-17 lead. Plenty of time left for the Canes to get back in it though, right?

How it changed the game: Yes the Canes did make a valiant effort, and yes this was not the only pick Harris threw (he threw four), but it was a huge difference.

Miami did come out in the early stages of the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 36-24, but they could never get over the hump to make it a one-possession game. Ohio State closed it out 36-24. 

What could have been: If Jacory Harris just eats it there or maybe finds an open receiver, then it's a one possession game. Then Miami has a chance to play some defense, get the ball back, maybe score again and avenge the 2002 team that fell to Ohio State in the National Championship on the infamous pass interference call.

Instead they lose again in the first meeting between these two teams since that faithful night in early 2003. 

1. Virginia Tech Vs James Madison-Darren Evans' Fumble

Before the Turnover: In a game where you would think Virginia Tech had just fallen asleep in it seemed like we were all just waiting for them to wake up.

After a missed fourth-down conversion with about nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, James Madison took control of the ball only to give it back to the Hokies.

Trailing 21-16, they drove down and everyone knew that they had finally gotten it together and they were going to save the game.

With about 5:27 left in the game, Va Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor handed the ball off to Darren Evans and then, it happened. 

The Turnover: Darren Evans took the hand off got smacked up the middle and the ball went flying in the air and rolled onto the Lane-Stadium grass only to be recovered by the Dukes of James Madison late in the fourth quarter.

But there was plenty of time for the Hokies to make a stop and score, right?

How it changed the game: In one of the most stunning upsets in recent history, Va Tech just could not get it done late.

After the fumble, James Madison just put the nail in the coffin and ran the clock down second by second.

The Hokies never got the ball back and lost at home to James Madison, yes, James Madison, 21-16. 

What could have been: If Darren Evans holds the ball maybe the Hokies continue to march down the field like they were supposed to do and end the game with a score and then a stop on defense.

Instead, the fumble may have put the season in the books for Virginia Tech.