Ex-UM center Everitt on MSU: ‘Prime for a beat down’

Former Michigan center Steve Everitt, who has never shied away from stirring the pot, particularly with the Wolverines’ rivals, stirred and kept stirring during his appearance Friday on WTKA’s “Whip Cancer Challenge” fundraiser.

Michigan is ranked No. 3 and is a large favorite against Illinois on Saturday at Michigan Stadium. A week later, the Wolverines will travel to Spartan Stadium to face rival Michigan State.

Everitt was asked by show host Sam Webb why the 2-4 Spartans have taken such a nosedive this season.

“They’re just showing their true colors,” Everitt said on WTKA. “It’s not too hard to figure out. Quarterback is pretty terrible. Defense is lacking. Both sides of the ball just looks to me like they’re prime for a beat down.”

Everitt, who played for Michigan from 1988-92, was 4-1 against Michigan State, the only loss coming on the infamous Desmond Howard two-point conversion try.

“So that was a joke,” he said.

He has never censored his feelings about Michigan’s rivals.

“I hate Ohio State, I hate Notre Dame, but I might have the least respect for Michigan State out of all three of them,” he said. “I might hate them all. It depends on who we’re playing. Michigan State is closest to being on our schedule so I guess I hate them the most.”

Michigan O-line meshing as one solid unit

There’s no doubt in Everitt’s mind that Michigan, which has lost seven of the last eight to Michigan State, will take out several years’ worth of frustrations against the Spartans.

“I think honestly, all kidding aside, if you can’t score points, you can’t win, and I think our defense is just going to shut them down like they haven’t been shut down yet,” Everitt said. “And they’ve been shut down this year a couple times, so I think our defense is going to shut them down. Our offensive line is rolling, playing great, pass blocking well, but the run blocking has been so beautiful, so I can’t wait to watch.

“There’s a lot of stuff that’s going to come bubbling to the top during that game, and we’re going to thrash them, and it’s going to be beautiful and it’s been a long time coming. It’s going to be fun to watch. (I’m) as close to guaranteeing a win as you can get at somebody else’ place, sure. Go on the road and shut that crowd down, and it’s going to be beautiful.”

angelique.chengelis@detroitnews.com

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