Rich Rodriguez becomes latest coach to express opinion on in-state spring game idea

Jacksonville State hit the field for its spring game Thursday night ahead of the program's first ever season at the FBS level. The Gamecocks got the first look at their team including a crowded quarterback battle.

And while the scrimmage was the focus of the night, it didn't take long after the final whistle for coach Rich Rodriguez to be asked about the latest idea swirling around the state's college football programs over the last few weeks.

Prior to Auburn's A-Day game, new coach Hugh Freeze suggested teams in the state replace their spring games with scrimmages against other programs. Freeze added teams would cut injury risk in half while also saying the game could be played for charity.

Rodriguez was asked about the idea after Jacksonville State's spring game and he seems ready for it with just a couple of stipulations.

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"Hell yeah, give me a million dollars, we'll be down there," Rodriguez said. "Tuscaloosa or Auburn, Alabama. I think it's good for charity, too, but and you could control a little bit and it'd be fun, but I'd like to get a little cash for that. We got a lot of bills to pay. That new weight room and that new facility. Maybe even $500,000, we'll go down there for that first spring game. We might get our brains beat in, but it doesn't count, right. It doesn't go on your record. If you want to get better as a football team, you play against the best. If you go down to Tuscaloosa, you're gonna play against the best."

UAB first-year coach Trent Dilfer also said he was open to the idea.

"Pretty, pretty, pretty please," Dilfer said. "Yes, yes, of course. Hugh is right. Whether you're Auburn or Alabama, you're looking for live competition and you're looking to not play yourself. If you're UAB or Troy, you're looking to hopefully play people that are perceived to be much better than you so you can use it as a test to see where your program is at."

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There have been no signs of official discussions between the schools for future spring games.

Alabama's spring game is scheduled for April 22 with kickoff slated for 2 p.m.