Here’s some predictions that most of us made without having seen the supposed spoilerific preview that’s been making the rounds. If you have seen it, you can still predict, but hide your reasoning for your pics accordingly. And those desperately wanting to avoid any possible spoilers, proceed with caution. (It is my understanding that the preview does not spoil who goes, FWIW).

Staff Predictions

Andy

At the Blue beach, I think Devon will be willing to go to rocks to fight against Joe and Desi, because there’s nothing saying that they’ll keep going after Ashley now that there’s one less Hero on their beach. However, I don’t think Ashley will. She’ll flip to get Devon out and survive another day.

At Red, there’s no reason for the former Healers to surrender their advantage should they go to tribal for the first time. So then it’ll come down to Ben or Lauren. It probably should be Ben, but I’m guessing Lauren will have made herself more of an outsider than has Ben, especially with her otherwise savvy move to spread dissension last week with Dr Mike. Thus Lauren will be the target.

At Yellow, it will look like it should be Heroes vs Hustlers. But the Chrissy/Ryan idol dynamic changes that, making that otherwise meaningless advantage VERY meaningful. As does the fact that there is currently six former Healers and only four each of the other two former tribes. They gotta get one of those out soon lest they have a majority at the merge. Roark is their only option to do so. The minute she gets two confessionals in an episode, it’s a done deal.

John

On the blue tribe, I think Desi decides that she’s fine with flipping on Joe now, and he has outlived his usefulness. She’d been ready to target him when she was with the Healers, and now that his idol is gone it’s safer to take a shot at him.

On the red tribe, it’s time for Lauren to become a robbed goddess. At least we’ll always have that time she talked about playing outfield and hating redheads, though- a time that I will forget within a month of this season ending.

At the yellow tribe, there’s a seemingly logical voting bloc that doesn’t include Roark or JP. Roark, as a former member of that Healers tribe that has yet to lose a single person, is the far more appealing target. Also, it’s entirely possible that everyone forgets JP is even on their tribe.

Emma

Blue tribe: Normally a tribe going to tribal council would make their next moves easier to predict, but a potential dead lock makes it even harder. While going to rocks so early would normally be stupid, anybody who turns on their alliance-of-convenience partner right now just figures they’d be the next to go if their losing streak continues. Desi will probably pull the frustratingly not purple rock, and people will use these extenuating circumstances to insist the show is not racist or sexist and women of color going home early is an unfortunate coincidence. Of course, these people also will forget that the issue is the show reflects society.

Red tribe: While it’d be funny if everything blew up in Cole’s face, I’d like to pretend that Jessica is playing a long con, Natalie Anderson style, and will exact her revenge at a later date. Lauren has been an obvious boot choice for a while, but it feels even more obvious in this current configuration, despite the average age of the tribe being more favorable. Luckily for her and the internet at large, this group is unlikely to go to tribal thanks to puzzle master Mike.

Yellow tribe: Thanks to the Ryan-Chrissy bond over the idol, being the odd one out won’t pay off for Roark. I’m keeping this prediction short in honor of her air time.

Matt

For blue tribe I think this week is the end of the line for Desi. Why? I think that Devon and Ashley would go to rocks and either that stance will cause Joe to flip or the rock will land on Desi. Either way, I think last weeks discussion of Joe being bad for Desi will pay off this week

For red, I think Lauren is the obvious choice. I just can’t see Jessica, Mike and Cole getting rid of Ben. Though the closer we get to merge the likelier that becomes.

For yellow I’ll say … crap what’s her name? You know who I’m talking about, the one that we aren’t even sure actually exists? Rock? Bjork? Something like that. Anyway the show disappears her into the night.

Mark

Blue: Either this tribe goes to rocks or someone flips. I can’t see Joe or Devon going just yet. They have to reunite with their friends and foes on other tribes. So let’s say Desi. Should have fought more for that idol…

Red: What, did the challenge not have a puzzle for Mike to win? If they somehow have to have a date with Jeff, Ben could be in danger. But I think the Cole/Jessica feud builds, and she realizes she has to cut Cole loose early. Loose lips sink ‘ships, bro.

Yellow: I can see this tribe doing well in challenges again, but if not, Roark is probably the one to go. The Healers need to be dwindled, and the rest of this tribe seems too important to be blindsided.

	Andy	John	Emma	Matt	Mark	Readers
First Out	Katrina	Chrissy	Katrina	Katrina	Katrina	Katrina
Second Out	Simone	Patrick	Lauren	Ali	Lauren	Lauren
Third Out	Lauren	Lauren	Patrick	Patrick	Lauren	Lauren
Fourth Out	Joe	Jessica	Joe	Joe	Cole	Joe
Blue Fifth Boot	Devon	Joe	Desi	Desi	Desi
Red Fifth Boot	Lauren	Lauren	Lauren	Lauren	Cole
Yellow Fifth Boot	Roark	Roark	Roark	Rock? Bjork?	Roark
Score

 

Your Turn

Time for you all to consensus pick who will be the next boot.