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Survivor S37 Power Rankings (Pre-Game: Top 20)

Sep 24, 2018 by PowerRankings101

Another season of Survivor is among us…. SURVIVOR: DAVID VS. GOLIATH. It’s clear that the folks over at CBS want us to root for the Davids (as history has proven, Davids are the underdogs and people root for underdogs). But I really think this cast is likable across the board. Even those I don’t like from pre-interviews and analysis are still characters that will make some great tv. This cast reminds me of an old school Survivor cast…full of memorable faces like Rupert, Big Tom, or Richard Hatch. This cast is full of those characters, and should make this season incredibly entertaining. So without further adieu, here is my first take on this season and the players competing (I will most likely be wrong in the end, but it’s fun to predict).

20. Lyrsa Torres- Poor Lyrsa just sticks out as a first boot. She seems weaker in challenges and knows she has a lot to prove. I just find her becoming an outsider and not being able to fit in entirely. I’d love to be proven wrong because Lyrsa is one of the more compelling contestants this season, but I don’t see her lasting too long.

19. Davie Rickenbacker- I don’t think Davie is going far in this game. But I think he’ll be a big personality until he does go. He’ll eat up screentime. It would be ironic if a guy named Davie came in last place on “David vs. Goliath,” but I truly think he’ll be out fairly quickly. If the Davids lose a lot in the early stages, they may hold on to him to win challenges, but because there are always so many tribe swaps, I can see some of the underdogs like Gabby or Christian taking out a huge personality like Davie.

18. Kara Kay- Kara compares herself to Parvati (winner of season 16), which is already a red flag. She will easily be portrayed as a dangerous threat and will have to rely on her social skills to get “in” with her team. I can see her going in the pre-merge because I really don’t think she’s going to bring it physically and if the tribes swap around 18 like they have been, the Davids will definitely want to get rid of Kara poses a social threat to their game and losing her wouldn’t harm their challenge performance.

17. Jessica Peet- Jessica is the young one on this season, which would normally work for her on any other season. But this time around, there are lots of older players, so I think Jessica may honestly find herself as an early boot this season. She probably won’t click with the older crowd, and is threatening enough where people won’t drag her to the end of the game. History has proven that the teenagers do fairly well in this game, and I expect Jessica to break that streak.

16. Bi Nguyen- Bi is a MMA fighter…but on the David tribe. It’s because of her life story, and it’s fitting for her. But she will definitely stick out on her tribe. I think she’ll be kept around for her challenge prowess, but when a tribe swap comes around, she may not fit in the way she’d hope and may get sent home as a result of that. She also doesn’t watch the show, which has to be a downfall in an era where Survivor is consumed by twists, idols, and gameplay. She would win an old school season, but not knowing the ins and outs of Survivor probably won’t work for her but against her.

15. Natalie Cole- Natalie is one of the most fascinating people this season as I really don’t know how she’ll do. Will she be sent home immediately or be the next Cirie or Chrissy? She’s going to approach the game in a very business-like standpoint, which will either work perfectly for her, or be drastically detrimental to her game. I really don’t know how she’ll do, but because of her age, I see her being targeted earlier rather than later.

14. Alec Merlino- Alec is charismatic as hell, but I could see him ending up getting the Cole from “Heroes Healers Hustlers” or Taylor from “Millennials vs. Gen X” kind of edit. He’ll definitely be a flirt and if he ends up pairing up with some girl, his target will largely expand. He’s going to make people laugh, but with each smile will come another shot at his target, because being strong, charismatic, and flirty is a recipe for disaster.

13. John Hennigan- Wrestler Johnny Nitro, Johnny Mundo, Mayor of Slamtown is taking on Survivor. He is sure to be the most entertaining player of the season. I say he makes the merge and not only that, but makes a huge statement in the game. He’s going to cause a riot and I can’t wait. There’s nothing much else I can say about Johnny because I truly don’t know which side of him we’ll see this season, and as a safe bet, I’ll put him right at the early merge boot spot…if he makes the merge, he becomes the instant big target a la Chris from last season.

12. Pat Cusack- Pat is the reason this season was made. He looks like a Goliath, but at heart, he’s a David. He’s had a lot to overcome in his life and has persevered through the worst. But like I said, people will see him as a Goliath. People may be scared of him. He showed up to the island wearing a NY Giants shirt (yay), so I have to root for him. But I could also see him getting lost in the shuffle toward the middle of the game…causing all the CBS crew and Jeff Probst to shake their heads in dismay when their key character for the season is sent home.

11. Jeremy Crawford- For some reason, I see Jeremy as a more villainous player. He’s an attorney, so there’s a possibility that he comes on way too strong. He’ll be helpful in challenges, which will get him to the merge, but I think he’s too much of a threat to win. Also, there already was a Jeremy who played Survivor and played a near-perfect game. It’ll take a lot to top Jeremy Collins’ season 31 performance.

10. Mike White- The fan in me wants Mike White to go far. The Survivor expert in me says Mike is an obvious early boot. Mike is a celebrity (he’s been in “School of Rock” and has written and directed plenty of other films…he’s also been on two seasons of “The Amazing Race”). Being a celebrity is something that could get you sent home early. BUT…the celebrities we’ve seen have mostly been athletes, and they have all gone home early. Lisa Whelchel wasn’t an athlete and made it to the final three in the Philippines! I think Johnny Mundo is a way bigger threat when it comes to being a celebrity because he has the added element of physical strength that Mike doesn’t have. Mike doesn’t pose that huge of a threat physically. He’s surely a smart guy, but he’s someone that they can easily take out once they get to the merge. I’m gonna go against the majority and say that Mike will make the merge and go deeper than people think. I also think it would be fun to see Mike go far on this season because he’s a good character and will provide some good confessional content.

9. Natalia Azoqa- Natalia seems very charismatic and will most likely find a tight group of people to bond with. I am just worried that people outside her alliance may find her intimidating since she is younger and athletic. This will help her in the early stages of the game, but going forward, I think she’ll stick out more and may find herself going home mid-merge.

8. Nick Wilson- Nick calls himself a Redneck Lawyer. I like Nick and think he’ll become friendly with most people. He’s not going to be weak like Donathan was last season, and not as clueless as Keith Nale sometimes was in his two seasons. I see him being more of a JT, who will be charming and good in challenges. But JT played a while ago, and the game has changed since then. I could see Nick falling victim to an idol or some crazy twist around the mid-merge. I think lots of people are going to like Nick and if any player is underestimated, it’s him.

7. Alison Raybould- Alison is going to be a good player. She’s got all the makings of one. She’s funny, knows the game well, and seems to be quite smart. She’s a doctor! I think Alison will make few enemies. My only worry is that people will see her as a threat toward the mid-merge and take her out in a sudden boot or blindside. I could see her either making the finale or being a juror. If she goes before the merge, I’d be quite surprised and disappointed.

6. Christian Hubicki- Christian is so unique. He looks like someone who could either fail miserably like Jacob last season or rise to the top like Cochran, winner of season 26. He seems to know his place in the game, and should use that to his advantage. He knows this game inside out. Do I see Christian winning the game? No. But I do see him making it pretty far and possibly even making the finale.

5. Elizabeth Olsen- Elizabeth is going to be very fun to watch. She’s a character already and will compete with Davie and Johnny for some of the more explosive personalities. Because of this, I don’t think Elizabeth makes it to the end. But I also think this keeps her around till the middle of the merge. She doesn’t’ seem to be too big of a threat, but will be a loyal number to whoever wants to align themselves with her.

4. Carl Boudreaux- Carl will probably make the merge because he is no threat to anyone strategically, and not the weakest one physically. He’s also going to be extremely nice and easy to get along with. He’s a big family man and it will show with some of the younger members on his tribe. I do, however, think he’ll come up short a la Rick Nelson from South Pacific or Keith Nale in both his seasons. The older guy who is a loyal alliance member but gets left out at the very end. That seems like Carl to me as someone who can stick around till there’s no other option left to boot.

3. Angelina Keeley- Angelina is one of my favorites on this season and I think she’ll be very smart when it comes to the game. She may even be the strategic beast of the season. But she also isn’t a hidden threat and will very visibly be making moves which could make her a target. She’s also friends with Adam Klein, winner of Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X, so she’s got that edge of knowing a great Survivor player. She could be the victim of a tribe swap or merge, or she’ll make it to the end. It’s hard to tell, but I’m rooting for her and will put her in spot number three in the hopes of her making the final tribal council.

2. Gabby Pascuzzi- Gabby is someone who would probably go home first in an old school season. But recently, we’ve seen the nerdier, smart girls do a VERY good job in this game. Aubry did it in both her seasons, and Hannah made it to the finale on Millennials vs. Gen X. Gabby could fall into their shoes and end up winning the season. I think she has a shot.

1. Dan Rengering- Dan is my winner pick. I know that most people would assume a David will win this season. But it’s not up to CBS or the theme to pick a winner. Dan is the least “Goliath” of the “Goliaths.” He’s a SWAT officer from Gainesville, Florida, so his profession gives him the authority and leadership qualities of a Goliath. But he underwent a major weight loss and had to work hard to get where he is now. As Jeff Probst explains, he’s a “Goliath in bloom.” That’s why I think Dan will win. Sure he’s a Goliath, but he can also relate to the Davids. He’ll have a good challenge resume because he’s physically strong, and he seems like a genuinely likable guy. Dan will make it far, and I think the guy can win. If a David doesn’t win, Dan is the most likely.

I really love this cast. I think we’re going to inevitably have a David and Goliath in the end, and I have Dan and Gabby being those two. But while lots of people would assume a David is going to win, I have Dan because I like his story (and like the fact that he lives in Gator country Gainesville, where some of my family is from). I think Angelina is also someone who will be a great player, and could also easily win. Those are my three favorites at the moment, but I’m sure more will change after the premiere on Wednesday. As for who goes first, I think we’re going to see the Davids lose to the Goliaths (which will set up a narrative for the entire season, I imagine), and of all the underdogs, Lyrsa seems like the obvious standout for a boot. People I am most cautious of are Natalie and Mike, because they could both make it far or go home early. It really is questionable, and I’m looking forward to see how this game evolves and changes throughout. Without a doubt a cast of characters, and I hope we see lots of great personalities shine through in this season.

PREDICTIONS:

Going Home- Lyrsa Torres

#survivor
#casting

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Survivor S37 Power Rankings (Pre-Game: Top 20)

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