Pat Elflein took a deep breath, dripping in sweat after Ohio State practice Wednesday. The Buckeye right guard — one of 19 players named to All-Big Ten teams — doesn't have a game to prepare for in the immediate future for the first time all season.
Instead, Elflein and the No. 6 Buckeyes are going to be left at home to watch the Big Ten Championship Game Saturday night between Iowa and Michigan State. Left out, left to wonder what could have been and left to question if they're better than the Hawkeyes and Spartans.
"I'm sure it's gonna happen, but all we can do is hope and pray that it all works out for us," Elflein said.