Should College Football Consider Abolishing Kickoffs?

I am as much of a traditionalist in terms of how football should be played as the next guy.

However, I actually think Rutgers coach Greg Schiano's proposal for getting rid of kickoffs could make college football more exciting, as well as safer.

Before I discuss why, I want to take a moment to discuss the basic details of Schiano's proposal:

Instead of kicking off, a team has the option of either trying to convert a fourth-and-15 or punt the ball to the other team.

Basically, teams can either punt the ball as an alternative to the kickoff. Instead of an onside kick, a team can attempt to regain possession by going for a first down by gaining 15 yards on one play from its own 30-yard line.

Obviously, the primary motive of Schiano's proposal is to prevent the kind of hits that left Eric LeGrand paralyzed from the neck down in October 2010. However, I look at this proposal and think that it will make college football more exciting if it is passed.

We have some coaches who are daring enough to go for it on fourth-and-15 from their own 30. LSU's Les Miles, for example, would come to mind.

I know it would take a lot to convince the traditionalists of college football to consider this plan.

But then again, remember tie games?

Remember when the NCAA decided to abolish tie games by giving each team a possession in overtime, and keep giving them possessions until there was a clear winner?

Anyone who watched the Illinois/Michigan game last year must be glad those old days are over.