The Bryce Brown recruiting saga was one of the biggest (and dumbest) stories in college football during the winter of 2009.

But it appears that whole ridiculous process (and yes, it was utterly ridiculous) was much ado about nothing. Because after one less-than-spectacular season at Tennessee, it seems Brown's career with the Vols might be over. Shocking, folks. Absolutely shocking.

Tennessee coach Derek Dooley announced on Friday, the first day of spring practice in Knoxville, that Brown had left the team. The coach said Brown, who gained 460 yards and scored three touchdowns on 101 carries last season, told him that he was dealing with "a lot of personal and family problems."

Dooley said Brown would remain enrolled in school through the end of the spring semester. He also said he hoped the tailback would return.

But for now, at least, it looks like Brown's days in Knoxville are numbered.

"As of right now, he's not a part of the team," Dooley told the Knoxville Sentinel. "It doesn't mean we've kicked him off by any means. We want Bryce here, and he's going to be here through the rest of the semester. But our focus really is on the 85 guys who are here."

Photo: Bryce Brown has left the Tennessee football program. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Michigan Stadium has played host to some of the greatest college football ever games played. But the Big House has never--that's right, never--played host to a night game.

That's going to change in 2011, though. And Michigan is going to make its nighttime debut in style.

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon announced on Thursday that the Wolverines will take on Notre Dame on the night of of Sept. 10, 2011. That game, the first night home game in Michigan history, will be televised on one of the ESPN networks.

"This will be an unprecedented gameday atmosphere that our fans have not experienced at Michigan Stadium," Brandon said in a statement. "It's a great opportunity to showcase our program, university and Ann Arbor to a primetime viewing audience. This also adds a new chapter to the storied rivalry between our two great programs."

The Wolverines have played 33 road night games in their long and storied history. Their record in those games is 22-11.

Photo: Longtime rivals Michigan and Notre Dame will battle under the lights at Michigan Stadium in 2011. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Jim Tressel wasn't exactly lacking for job security. But Ohio State officials reaffirmed their commitment to Tressel on Tuesday anyway, extending the coach's contract another two years.

Under the new deal, Tressel will remain with the Buckeyes through at least the end of the 2014 season. Tressel had originally signed his current deal in 2008.

"We wanted to reward Jim for his exemplary work with our football program and lock him in as our coach for an additional two years," Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said in a statement.

The man they call The Senator has compiled a 94-21 record during his outstanding nine-year run at Ohio State. He's won one national championship and six Big Ten titles. The Buckeyes are coming off an outstanding 2009 campaign that included a win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl, and figure to challenge for another Big Ten title in 2010.

Said Tressel: "To be able to continue building the Ohio State tradition alongside these people, along with our band, cheerleaders, fans and university community, is an honor."

Photo: Jim Tressel coached Ohio State to a Rose Bowl win last season. (Getty Images)

These are high times for college football in the state of Idaho. And while Chris Petersen and Boise State are the ones most responsible for the state's resurgence, Robb Akey is doing his part, too.

His bosses at the University of Idaho apparently agree, because it appears the school is ready to offer Akey a new five-year contract extension. The Idaho Statesman reported late last week that Akey had agreed in principle to the deal. Details aren't yet available.

Akey, who led the Vandals to a 9-5 record and a Humanitarian Bowl win over Bowling Green, currently makes just $258,000 per year, making him the lowest-paid coach in the WAC. He is 12-26 overall in his three-year tenure in Moscow.

He previously served as defensive coordinator at Washington State and also coached at Northern Arizona and Weber State.

Photo: Robb Akey led Idaho at a 9-5 mark in 2009. (Kevin Terrell/Getty Images)