In the vibrant backdrop of Texas during the fall of 1980, college freshman Jake, a promising pitcher fresh off high school glory, moves into a shared house with his new teammates from the fictional Southeast Texas Cherokees baseball team. Just three days and 15 hours before the commencement of their college session, he meets his roommate Billy, affectionately nicknamed "Beuter" due to his distinctive Southern accent. Alongside them are players Finnegan (played by Glen Powell), Roper (the unapologetic heartthrob), Dale (Quinton Johnson), and Plummer (Temple Baker), as they cruise through campus, hoping to meet the female students.
A chance encounter introduces Jake to upperclassman Beverly, who expresses a budding interest in him during a brief chat about moving into her apartment. Inspired by her curiosity towards Jake, he notes her apartment number. At a team gathering, the coach introduces the new recruits, including Jake and his fellow freshmen—Plummer, Beuter, and Brumley (Tanner Kalina)—as well as two transfer students: Jay (Juston Street), known for his exceptional pitching, and Willoughby (Wyatt Russell), a laid-back philosopher.
The coach lays down two strict rules: no alcohol in the house, and no women upstairs. However, the team quickly disregards these guidelines, throwing a raucous party where members sneak women into their rooms. Despite his efforts, Jake finds himself thwarted in his attempts to connect with a lady due to Beuter's reluctance to vacate their shared room.
As the weekend unfolds, the team revels in nightlife, heading to a disco where Finnegan’s humorous banter takes a turn when Jay’s provocative remarks ignite a brawl, leading to their expulsion. They regroup, change outfits, and end their escapades at a western-themed bar, seeking good vibes.
After a morning filled with Willoughby's laid-back philosophy and music, Jake has a serendipitous meeting with Justin (Michael Monsour), a former teammate now part of the punk scene, who shares details about an upcoming concert. Encouraged by his friends, Jake leaves a charming note and flowers for Beverly, revealing a deeper affection that spins into a fraternity party.
Their first connection evolves as Beverly, a performing-arts major, and Jake bond over their similarities, imparting personal stories amidst the electric atmosphere of college life. As practice heats up, tensions arise when Jay disrupts the team's dynamic with his aggressive pitching, leading to a confrontation with team leader McReynolds.
Beverly’s invitation to "Oz," a themed costume party for performing-arts students, brings the team face-to-face with a new cultural frontier. In their awkward attempts to mingle, Finnegan adopts astrology lingo to impress, while Jake finds himself wrapped in an improvised Alice in Wonderland segment of The Dating Game, culminating in a night filled with budding romance.
As the semester kicks off, Jake and Beverly stroll towards their classes—parting ways with shared longing. Meanwhile, their teammates tease him about his nighttime escapades, only for Jake to find himself lost in a history lecture with Plummer, as they both doze off when their professor scribes the phrase, "Frontiers are where you find them", on the chalkboard, marking the start of their college journey.
