I am – Hercules!!

The 13-episode third-season of Austin-shot “Friday Night Lights” launches on DirecTV’s Channel 101 tonight, then repeats on NBC starting in January. But the DirecTV episodes will run without commercials and NBC intends to run shorter versions.

Entertainment Weekly’s Mike Ausiello has long had the scoop on what’s ahead. To recap:

* Season three picks up eight months later as the new school year is starting.

* Tyra Collette has dumped Landry Clarke again, even though Landry dumped the cute little nerd girl (now off playing Hiro’s superspeedy nemesis on “Heroes”) for her.

* Tyra will be pursued by Tim Riggins’ rodeo star pal.

* Bad boy Tim and Jesus-happy Lyla Garrity are now secretly boyfriend-girlfriend.

* Tami Taylor will become her husband’s boss as the new principal of Dillon High.

* Tim, Lyla, Matt and Tyra are all seniors now, and it sounds like most if not all of them will be off the show if it goes to season four. New characters are being introduced, perhaps as possible replacements, including a freshman who early this season challenges Matt for the role of QB1.

* Matt and Julie remain friendly despite their breakup.

* As previously reported, Dillion grads Smash Williams and Jason Street are leaving the series early this season, but either or both may return at some point.

* No word on what's ahead for Coach Taylor. Presumably he'll continue yelling at everybody to make them better players.

NOW!!