Kyle Chandler, "Friday Night Lights"

Nomination Status: After nominating Chandler last year, failing to bring him back after the final "FNL" season would be a crime.

In His Favor: It wasn't the easiest of seasons for Coach Taylor's team and, as a result, Chandler did some of his finest slow-burn frustration to date. But it was Chandler's work with Aimee Teegarden in the season's middle episodes and with Connie Britton down the home-stretch that ought to make him a lock for a second consecutive nomination. He's one of the few actors in this category who has episodes capable of beating Hamm.

Working Against Him: Last year's nomination, after three straight seasons of being criminally neglected, felt almost like a fluke. Emmy voters ignored the evidence and failed to nominate Chandler previously and they could do so again.