9-10PM · DIRECTV · Returns Oct. 1

The game plan for season 3? ''Come out strong, tell good stories, and leave it all on the field,'' declares exec producer Jason Katims. Tami (Connie Britton) becomes the school's new principal and clashes with her husband, Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler). For their farewell arcs, Smash (Gaius Charles) loses his college scholarship, while Jason Street (Scott Porter) tackles life as a cash-strapped dad. And a freshman QB stud descends on Dillon to unseat Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford). ''Coach has to choose between what's best for Matt and what might be best for the Panthers,'' hints Katims. In relationship news, Tyra (Adrianne Palicki) falls for a rodeo star, and Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) dates Lyla (Minka Kelly). Notes Katims of the latter pair, ''They have different priorities, different bedtimes, different friends, and different drinking habits.''

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