Kate Krause

We will all be tested - In the town of Dillon, Texas, football is life, and no one knows that better than new head Coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler). Pressure mounts as the Dillon Panthers, led by star quarterback Jason Street (Scott Porter), enter pre-season surrounded by a swirl of press, recruiters, and State Championship sized expectations. Backup quarterback Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford) prepares to ride the bench in the shadow of Jason Street, as running back Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) struggles with a serious vice. As the season opener grows near, the town of Dillon is focused on what they believe to be most important, winning.

With summer coming to an end, the defending state champion Dillon Panthers look to continue its success despite a lot of changes taking place. Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) begins his career as head coach at TMU and immediately discovers the hardship of being separated from his family as Tami Taylor (Connie Britton) heads into labor with their second child. Meanwhile, Tyra Collette (Adrianne Palicki) is revisited from someone in her past that will alter her life forever. Best friends Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford) and Landry Clarke (Jesse Plemons) battle with new lifestyles that neither of them seem ready for. Also starring Taylor Kitsch, Aimee Teegarden, Minka Kelly, Scott Porter, and Gaius Charles.

Plans change, people change -- After being pressured by Texas Methodist University (TMU), Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) makes a rash decision that disrupts his future at Dillon and upsets the women in his life. While Coach Taylor deals with changes in his career, Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) deals with his new inappropriate relationship with the single mother next door. Jason (Scott Porter) moves into a new apartment and Landry (Jesse Plemons) finally reveals Tyra's (Adrianne Palicki) horrible secret. The tense drama unfolds around the women of Dillon and football takes a backseat.

Why can't we be friends? -- When Buddy Garrity's affair is discovered, he finds himself in the doghouse. He, in turn, imposes on the Taylors and moves in with them. With her family falling apart, Lyla turns to Jason, the one person she can count on. But, after driving to surprise him at the quad rugby camp, Lyla notices for the first time that Jason's accident has changed him. Meanwhile, Smash thinks something is up with Waverly (guest star Aasha Davis) when she uncharacteristically takes him for a midnight swim. Elsewhere, Coach Taylor takes a meeting with TMU that puts his future with Dillon at risk.

Season finale -- The state championship - It's all come down to this one final game - the Dillon Panthers are gearing up for the state championship and all eyes are on Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler). After growing speculation from everyone in town, the news finally spreads as to whether or not Coach is going to leave Dillon for his dream job at TMU (Texas Methodist University). Tami (Connie Britton), on the other hand, gets some exciting news of her own - an unexpected surprise over ten years in the making. As the season winds down, questions of struggling relationships and broken friendships are answered. More importantly, the fate of the Dillon Panthers football season comes to a thrilling and unexpected finale.