While 2011 March Madness betting players are watching Ohio State roll through the NCAA Tournament, there are some issues with the football program, which has been known as the flagship program in Columbus. The Buckeyes will be without their coach and a big part of their offense, so we wouldn’t recommend laying a bet on Ohio State.

It was announced that quarterback Terrelle Pryor, running back Dan Herron, offensive lineman Mike Adams, receiver DeVier Posey and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas sold rings, jersey and trophies, which earned them a five-game suspension. Then it was revealed that coach Jim Tressel knew about it but tried to cover it up, and he received two games. Finally in what we hope will be the final part of this story, Tressel asked that his suspension match that of his players, so the NCAA obliged and now the Buckeyes are in a hole, even though four of their first five games will be at the Horseshoe in Columbus. Still, a meeting with Michigan State won’t be easy, and their trip to Miami, where the Hurricanes will be out to avenge a trouncing they took at Ohio State last year, will likely derail their national-title hopes.

People shouldn’t praise Tressel for asking that he be suspended as long as the players. In fact, he should have gotten more games as the leader of the program, who tried to cover up his players’ indiscretions, and it sounds more than anything that he’s sorry that he got caught. Either way, this story probably isn’t over, but it does spell doom for Ohio State’s online sports betting odds in 2011.

March Madness betting is the only thing that can take attention away from the NFL lockout right now, but there are headlines around the league that actually deal with, you know, the game of football. News has emerged that Randy Moss may be looking to go back to New England, but a lot of things would have to happen in order for the receiver to return to the Patriots.

Moss made news last year when he complained about his role in the Patriots’ offense, and New England answered him by trading Moss to Minnesota, who then moved him to Tennessee. Moss’ finals numbers for 2010 were 393 yards and five touchdowns on 28 catches, but his best time came in New England, where he had nine catches for 139 yards and three scores. Moss didn’t really build a rapport with Brett Favre in Minnesota, and he was a non-factor in Tennessee, where he spent most of his time on the bench. Moss took for granted that he was being coached by a Hall of Famer in Bill Belichick and getting thrown to by a future Hall of Famer in Tom Brady.

But what about the Patriots? They really missed Moss’ ability to stretch the field when it came to the playoffs, and say what you want about Moss, he still demands a double team. That would open things up for Wes Welker and their great and young tight ends, Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. Moss and the Patriots were made for each other, and if they can put the past behind them, watch New England’s Super Bowl odds improve when you’re betting online.

While March Madness betting has taken over your sportsbook, the NFL is always looming, whether there is the possibility of a lockout or not. The draft will take place in late April, even if the players and owners haven’t come to an agreement, and it’s completely possible that Carolina will take a Heisman winner with the top overall pick for only the third time since 1987.

The combine didn’t tell us anything new about Cam Newton. He’s an extraordinary athlete who needs to work on his accuracy, but he has the capacity to improve and may have the most potential of anyone in the draft. Newton looked more comfortable throwing at his pro day at Auburn, but he still has some way to go. That shouldn’t stop the Panthers from taking him with the first pick in New York City. Let’s face it, the Panthers need everything, so why not start at quarterback? Newton may already be better than any pivot on the Panthers’ roster, including last year’s second-round pick Jimmy Clausen, and his intangibles is what makes him a better option than Clausen.

Newton exudes a leadership quality that not many young players have, and that was proven as he dragged an Auburn squad that would be average without him to the national championship game. His ability to scramble and make plays with his legs is another thing that sets him apart from the current Carolina quarterbacks, and Newton is known in the Carolina area, which is technically ACC territory, but the SEC is never far away. When it comes to NFL props, picking Cam Newton to go first in the NFL draft wouldn’t be a bad bet at all.

Even MLB betting players had to catch the NFL Combine last week as teams evaluated the talent for the 2011 draft with a series of workouts and tests to see if they were up to the rigors of the league. Patrick Petersen of LSU went into the combine as the No.1 corner available, and he probably still is, but he now faces serious competition from Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara.

Peterson did nothing to hurt his draft stock, running a 4.34 in the 40-yard-dash, along with a 38-inch vertical jump, a 10-6 broad jump and he was fourth in the three-cone drill. Peterson has excellent hips, which allows him to turn and run, and he has an excellent change of direction.

Amukamara isn’t far behind, though, as he ran a 4.43 in the 40-yard-dash, also posted a 38-inch vertical and a 10-8 in the broad jump. He isn’t as explosive as Peterson, but Amukamara may be more technically sound, and can play in zone as well as man coverage. Amukamara is also stronger than Peterson, which will help as he jams receivers at the line of scrimmage.

All in all, Peterson is likely still the No.1 corner, and he has an added bonus as he was one of the best return specialists in the country, so whichever team picks him will be getting a weapon for their special teams. However, Amukamara is also a top-10 talent and could end up starting right away. He wouldn’t be a major detriment for a team’s sports betting odds.