Need a fix on this weekend's visitor to Memorial Stadium?

Two minutes with: Terry Vandrovec

Staff writer Bob Asmussen's chat with the Sioux Falls Argus leader reporter

Where does South Dakota State football rank among popular sports teams in the state?

The Jacks lead the state in average home attendance — by a lot. They've recently begun topping the 10,000 mark on a regular basis, exceeding the capacity of 50-year-old Coughlin-Alumni Stadium. Attendance has more than doubled since 2004 and the very early stages of building a new 22,000-seat venue are underway.

We figure South Dakota is a big rival for the Jackrabbits. Who else do the fans really love to beat?

USD and SDSU haven't played each other in football since 2003 when the Jacks left Division II for the Football Championship Subdivision. (That drought that will end next year when they again become part of the same conference.) In the meantime, North Dakota State has become the top rival, although the Jacks and Bison were allies as much as enemies during their D-I transitions.

How popular is basketball coach and Champaign native Scott Nagy?

It depends on who you ask. The program has had only one winning season since leaving D-II. Plenty of folks blame Nagy for that even though — from where I'm sitting — he wasn't given the proper resources initially. Others still love him for his career record and his charitable nature.

If asked, would South Dakota State join the Big 12?

Good question. Who else would be in that version of the Big 12? Joking aside, plenty of SDSU fans hope the Jacks will eventually get into the Missouri Valley Conference in all sports. They're currently in that league for football with every other program residing in the Summit League.

Think South Dakota State will ever move up to the FBS?

I'll give you a firm "maybe." That probably depends on three things: The ongoing conference shuffling, being able to build and fill a new football stadium and the men's basketball team becoming a contender to reach the NCAA tournament. There are certain advantages to being the largest school in any state.

Is John Stiegelmeier the Joe Paterno of South Dakota State football?

That's probably fair on some levels despite their significant age difference. Stiegelmeier is from a small town in South Dakota and attended SDSU, making this his dream job. He's couldn't care less if his shoes match his pants, is incredibly thoughtful and possesses a great faith. He's respected as sort of father figure throughout the state.

Give us a prediction for Saturday's South Dakota State-Illinois game with a brief explanation.

Illinois 34, SDSU 17. SDSU has given its last couple BCS foes a scare, flat-out blowing a game at Minnesota in 2009 and having two touchdowns called back by penalty in a 17-3 loss at Nebraska last fall. So the Jacks won't go in looking to merely stay within 30. That said, their CBs are suspect and QB Thomas O'Brien has struggled on the big stage.