Greg Schiano Is Crazy, but He Would Revolutionize College Football

I am as resistant to change in the sporting world as almost anyone. I have long been opposed to a college football playoff, despite the fact that I see and agree with several of the arguments used in its promotion. I automatically retch when I hear FBS or FCS. The illegal contact penalty is the stupidest thing that's happened in the NFL since Leon Lett retired. And the First Four sullies the previous perfection of my (and everyone else's) pre-March Madness bracket-filling ritual.

It's for that reason that I was taken aback when I found myself so enamored by Greg Schiano's proposal. For those of you who haven't heard, Schiano has suggested replacing the kickoff with an option: punt from your own 30, or attempt to maintain possession with a fourth and 15 from the same spot.

The proposal is masterfully conceived. While most attempts at increasing safety in sports seem to diminish the excitement of the game, this concept would actually increase it. The onside kick is one of the most frustrating plays in all of sports. It so rarely succeeds, especially in last-ditch efforts. At least once, every football fan has seen his/her team cut the lead with under a minute left, only to see the stupid, nearly impossible and mostly luck-based onside kick fail. I for one would much rather see Michael Vick lining up five-wide needing 15 yards than having to see David Akers put the ball out and hope for a good bounce (unless the Giants still don't have a hands team).

The proposition has two benefits. The first, the one which likely spawned Schiano to formulate the plan, is more safety for players. Anyone who has heard of John Lynch knows how easily a running start can be used to pummel another player. It seems most serious injuries occur with collisions involving running starts. And no play involves more of a running start than a kickoff, with both teams running full speed in opposite directions.

Schiano saw the ramifications of this ever-present danger last season when his defensive tackle Eric LeGrand was paralyzed while making a tackle against Army. LeGrand, like the less tragic Kevin Everett, was injured not as the kick returner (or blocker), but as the tackler. The risks on kickoff returns are raised for players on both sides.

[Some might ask, "how is a punt safer than a kickoff?" Andy Staples articulates it well here.] 

But the second benefit, the one which could stifle the "it's a man's game" and "the players know the dangers" crowd is the fact that it could present some exciting scenarios. While some will argue that kickoff returns for touchdowns are an integral part of football excitement, any of them that can do math will see that punts are housed more often. And of course, there's the aforementioned removal of the onside kick, which I doubt will hurt any feelings.

I for one would love to see this proposal instituted in college football (or pro too). I know it will never happen and will console myself with the adroitness of my main (return) men, Virginia Tech Hokies David Wilson and Dyrell Roberts. But that doesn't mean I can't dream. After all, who wouldn't want to see how often Les Miles would roll the dice with a 4th and 15 in the first quarter, or whether Chip Kelly's Oregon Ducks would ever kickoff again?

As always, feel free to offer your thoughtful input or thoughtless censure.