The third season of the American serial drama television series Friday Night Lights began airing in the United States and Canada on October 1, 2008.

Unlike the previous two seasons, only eight of ten major roles received star billing in the opening credits: Kyle Chandler portrayed Eric Taylor, head coach of the Dillon Panthers.

Minka Kelly played Lyla Garrity, now girlfriend of Tim Riggins, fullback and resident bad boy, portrayed by Taylor Kitsch.

Supporting characters include: Brad Leland as Buddy Garrity, Lyla's father and head of the Dillon Panthers Booster Club; Derek Phillips as Billy Riggins, Tim's brother; Louanne Stephens as Lorraine Saracen, Matt Saracen's grandmother; Liz Mikel as Corrina Williams, Smash's mother; Dana Wheeler-Nicholson as Angela Collette, Tyra's mother; Stacey Oristano as Mindy Collette, Tyra's sister and Billy Riggins' fiancée; and Kevin Rankin as Herc.

Smash Williams, who had injured his knee during the previous year's playoffs, rediscovers his love for the game, gets a tryout with a college, and succeeds in winning a spot on their team.

Jason eventually finds a job at a sports agency in New York City and moves to the northeast, to be close to his girlfriend and newborn baby.

Tami Taylor becomes the principal of cash-strapped Dillon High School and fights with Buddy Garrity about the allocation of funds toward a Jumbotron.

Smash Williams was seriously injured in a playoff game the preceding season and, consequently, has lost his college football scholarship; he is now a manager at the Alamo Freeze fast food restaurant.

The website's critical consensus reads, "Fueled by realistic depictions of everyday issues and elevated by an outstanding young cast, the third season of Friday Night Lights finds the series continuing to shine.