Brian "Smash" Williams (Gaius Charles) has graduated and the start of the new school year has Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) uncertain about the strength of his team. Matt Saracen's (Zach Gilford) position as QB1 is in danger when a new freshman star player J.D. McCoy (guest star Jeremy Sumpter) arrives on the scene. Smash continues to deal with his own demons after a season-ending injury causes him to lose his college scholarship. Meanwhile, Tami (Connie Britton) faces stressful challenges as the new principal of Dillon High School. Elsewhere, Tyra (Adrianne Palicki) is encouraged to make a run for student body president.