New head coach Eric Taylor finds his every move scrutinized as he takes over leadership of Texas's No. 1 high school football team.

With Jason seriously injured, Matt must step up and become the team's first-string quarterback.

The Panthers suffer a humiliating loss. Lyla tries to help Jason believe that he will walk again.

While only two days away from their next game, Coach Taylor still doesn't know who to start at quarterback, and Jason still doesn't know that his best friend is spending a lot of time with his girlfriend.

Jason confronts Lyla about her and Tim. Matt asks Coach Taylor's daughter if she would like to go out sometime leading Taylor and his wife to worry about her.

The Panthers are preparing yet again for another game they can't afford to lose. Jason (Scott Porter) still finds it difficult to adjust to life at home, and the feelings he still has for Lyla (Minka Kelly) don't make it any easier. Meanwhile, at what couldn't seem like a better time, Matt's (Zach Gilford) dad comes home from Iraq, but the homecoming is not what Matt expected. To make situations even more complicated, UT has taken an interest in Coach Taylor, whose popularity continues to grow, and Smash becomes more and more dependent on unnatural substances to keep up with the competition. With all the drama off the field mounting, the players work even harder to get a victory.

Coach Taylor continues to ride Smash while the team gets ready for their upcoming playoff game. Tim goes in search of his father and Jason stands up to Buddy Garrity, which sets him apart from Lyla.

Mrs. Taylor confronts Julie after seeing Matt buying condoms; Coach Taylor accuses Tim's father of stealing a camera from his office; Buddy Garrity fires Tyra's mother from the dealership.

With TMU trying to recruit Coach Taylor, Julie insists that she will not be moved away from Matt and Dillon. The quad rugby recruiters in Austin deliver some bad news to Jason. Riggins becomes friends with a single mother and her son.

A chemical spill forces Coach Taylor and the Panthers to seek another facility in which to play the crucial State semifinal game.

Coach Taylor makes a final decision about whether to take the job at Texas Methodist University, while Tyra's secret is revealed.

The Panthers gear up for the state championship, as the rumor about Coach Taylor spreads. Meanwhile, Tami receives some news.