It's not as bad as the NFL, which basically took kickoff returns out of the game.  KOs moved to the 35; kicking team players have to be 5 yds behind the kicker when the foot hits the ball; touchbacks moved to the 25.  It's done for safety reasons.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news;_ylt=Aif6emD3U...

I think if they move the KO up to the 35, they should do away with the tee.  Put the nose of the ball on the ground and have a player hold the tip, just like in sandlot.  You'd have one less kicking team player to cover it and it might go as far.  Don't know if the tees are made in the US or China, but not using tees might cost some jobs.

Right now if you return the ball, but don't make it past the 20, it was a poor choice. With the change, now you have to make it to the 25 to make the return worthwhile, so you're going to want more running room before you elect to go, in theory.I'm not sure how much impact it will have, though, especially if kickers start pooching more kicks.

Boy this just sounds like a bunch of stupid, and completely arbitrary rules changes that serve no purpose.

Hah.  Like the vast majority of NCAA rules.  No?

I think moving the touchback to the 25 serves more to increase scoring by starting 5 yards closer to FG range.

I read a suggestion long ago that the best change to address player health on kickoff plays would be to end the kicking teams running start down the field.