> @DC408Dxtr / @DC408DxNow
It's with all of this in mind that - with six hours before Episode 12 - it's the perfect time for us to take a trip into the Strategy Room. Once again in our Trifecta coverage, we will, at various times here, analyze where we stand in terms of the game situation on this Challenge, and next week we'll look at AYTO 4 as they've just reached the halfway point in Hawaii. Considering how unique this site is in covering the MTV world, it's only when the game gets serious do we unlock the doors to this room in our house and put on the analyst's hat. Yes, we're doing what other sites would do throughout their season in doing these power rankings as we're about to enter the homestretch to Argentina.
● BANANAS & SARAH: At the pace they are going, and perhaps aside from the seemingly inevitable meeting with the man below, it's hard to think of Bananas & Sarah not winning this Challenge. They've won three challenges including last week and they the clear favorites to win this. They've dodged going into elimination, and if they have their way tonight and next week they prefer to have a free pass, just as he did on the last Rivals. They'll do whatever they can to take down Wes & Nany, but don't be surprised if they save that matchup for next week and make Dario & Nicole and Big D & Chey earn their ticket to South America...JB would never put Vince in. He & Sarah have gelled and seem to have forgotten Exes 2 and there may still be some bad blood at the end of this, but they've executed the purpose of what Rivals is about: forget the past and work together. They've done that and if things stay as is, it's game over.
● NANY & WES: Going into this season, Nany & Wes never looked eye to eye due to alliances, old romances and how he's been the political mastermind and she's the emotional girl. They, along with the all-AYTO team here, are the only ones who've not won a challenge so far, but they did win the last Jungle elimination and took two additional ones as well (including one that never materialized when Tom & Simone went home, if you decide to count that too). As we've seen here lately, Wes has again put his political game to work, and the plans are still there to take Bananas and/or Vince out before the final. The feeling is if him & Nany win this week they will sure to return the favor and dare JB/Sarah to earn their ticket to Argentina, or perhaps Jenna & Vince. If the cards fall into place, they may have a tough decision to sacrifice bonds they have with the teams about to be covered below, but for now Wes & Nany are just getting warmed up.
● DARIO & NICOLE: Just two weeks ago, they were at the heart of the season's most questionable decision that ultimately knocked out the only strongest contender left in this game outside of JB/Sarah and Wes/Nany listed here first. Dario came into Rivals with much to prove after what we saw in seeing his arrogance take shape on Bloodlines. For much of this season, he's taken a back seat to everything that's gone on here, and if what happened at the buried alive mission is an indication with his baseball experience he'll be eager to add to the $50,000 he collected in Hawaii two years ago. For Nicole, she had to endure what happened to her and Nany after the Week 10 vote, and there's the chance either this or next week that these two could face each other in the Jungle or, if they make it, the final. They aced the only mission of this season that put brains to work in the trivia, but they didn't do well in last week's one. Now, they do need to prove themselves.
Ahead, we'll take a team-by-team look at what the five teams who are left have done while they've been in Mexico and the possibilities that await them. And we'll unveil our site's power rankings as well as update you on last week's fantasy scoring, which was carried over here from its usual place on the WRAP. Join us after the jump as we head look at where Rivals III stands from the Strategy Room.
As we look at all the teams that are left here at we head into tonight, you and so many other fellow Challenge fans who are reading this might be asking to yourself, "Is this the quarterfinal five that are left here?" A lot of us will agree that, aside from Bananas & Sarah and Wes & Nany, this is not the other three teams we expected would get here to this last week in Mexico before the serious matter of a trip out of there for the race to the Final. But this is all the result of teams with previous finals experience with Camila, Leroy, Johnny Portland, Jamie, KellyAnne and -- as of the beginning of last week, Cory, all being brushed aside by eliminations and medevacs to give us the five teams that are left here.
As we look at all the teams that are left here at we head into tonight, you and so many other fellow Challenge fans who are reading this might be asking to yourself, "Is this the quarterfinal five that are left here?" A lot of us will agree that, aside from Bananas & Sarah and Wes & Nany, this is not the other three teams we expected would get here to this last week in Mexico before the serious matter of a trip out of there for the race to the Final. But this is all the result of teams with previous finals experience with Camila, Leroy, Johnny Portland, Jamie, KellyAnne and -- as of the beginning of last week, Cory, all being brushed aside by eliminations and medevacs to give us the five teams that are left here.
Eight of the thirteen teams that boarded the plane to Mexico had previous finals experience, and now only three of them remain with us in this quest for the cash and the record payday that awaits those who make it to the end. We've had an AYTO takeover of sorts with those who been on the newcomer of the Trifecta making quite a name for themselves. We've had five teams hold the Power Team status that comes with winning a challenge, earning immunity and being able to vote in whoever they may choose. And five teams have won a Jungle and two teams have yet to go into an elimination - and there's enough teams left that could be dared to earn their stripes if the cards fall their way depending upon what happens.
Now, my team-by-team look at the pairs...
Now, my team-by-team look at the pairs...
● BANANAS & SARAH: At the pace they are going, and perhaps aside from the seemingly inevitable meeting with the man below, it's hard to think of Bananas & Sarah not winning this Challenge. They've won three challenges including last week and they the clear favorites to win this. They've dodged going into elimination, and if they have their way tonight and next week they prefer to have a free pass, just as he did on the last Rivals. They'll do whatever they can to take down Wes & Nany, but don't be surprised if they save that matchup for next week and make Dario & Nicole and Big D & Chey earn their ticket to South America...JB would never put Vince in. He & Sarah have gelled and seem to have forgotten Exes 2 and there may still be some bad blood at the end of this, but they've executed the purpose of what Rivals is about: forget the past and work together. They've done that and if things stay as is, it's game over.
● NANY & WES: Going into this season, Nany & Wes never looked eye to eye due to alliances, old romances and how he's been the political mastermind and she's the emotional girl. They, along with the all-AYTO team here, are the only ones who've not won a challenge so far, but they did win the last Jungle elimination and took two additional ones as well (including one that never materialized when Tom & Simone went home, if you decide to count that too). As we've seen here lately, Wes has again put his political game to work, and the plans are still there to take Bananas and/or Vince out before the final. The feeling is if him & Nany win this week they will sure to return the favor and dare JB/Sarah to earn their ticket to Argentina, or perhaps Jenna & Vince. If the cards fall into place, they may have a tough decision to sacrifice bonds they have with the teams about to be covered below, but for now Wes & Nany are just getting warmed up.
● JENNA & VINCE: Now, the other teams... Jenna & Vince were the first pair to hold Power Team status this season, and like Bananas & Sarah they've not gone into the Jungle as of yet. She has used her strength to guide this pair to the brink, even with what Bananas' cousin has gone through as of late in reliving the Vince we saw from him last season. It's very much likely that if JB & Sarah head into the final that these two will be tagged along with them and it will be a question of whether Vince will have enough stamina to get through the two days of hell known as the Final. Jenna is the only one other than the senior veterans to have finals experience, and obviously what we saw on Bloodlines was redemption for what she had to put through on Exes 2 and solidified her breakout award status last time. She can pull him together, and if they do put up a good effort in the stretch run, then don't be surprised if she goes to her 3rd straight final.
● DARIO & NICOLE: Just two weeks ago, they were at the heart of the season's most questionable decision that ultimately knocked out the only strongest contender left in this game outside of JB/Sarah and Wes/Nany listed here first. Dario came into Rivals with much to prove after what we saw in seeing his arrogance take shape on Bloodlines. For much of this season, he's taken a back seat to everything that's gone on here, and if what happened at the buried alive mission is an indication with his baseball experience he'll be eager to add to the $50,000 he collected in Hawaii two years ago. For Nicole, she had to endure what happened to her and Nany after the Week 10 vote, and there's the chance either this or next week that these two could face each other in the Jungle or, if they make it, the final. They aced the only mission of this season that put brains to work in the trivia, but they didn't do well in last week's one. Now, they do need to prove themselves.
● CHEYENNE & DEVIN: Finally, there's Team Princess. We all thought Cheyenne & Devin would be the first ones to go home, and they were. But it's what happened when Thomas & Simone went out that they were brought back that got fans riled up about them getting a second chance, but it's the best thing that's happened to them. Chey was able to get close to Cory, while Devin's made headlines for putting the skills he used to save Team Ohana last year to work in Mexico...not to mention exposing Challenge fans to the persona that made him so reviled on AYTO. They've not won anything, but if Johnny Portland talked to Big D about what he happened on Free Agents, then it's translated into nothing but luck in the draw in drawing white skulls as often as JR got lucky two years ago. Now, don't be surprised if their luck continues in the homestretch, but they would need to earn their stripes if they want to prove that this is no fluke.
And, this happens to be my power rankings.
● 1. BANANAS & SARAH
● 2. WES & NANY
● 3. JENNA & VINCE
● 4. DARIO & NICOLE
● 5. CHEYENNE & DEVIN
► Weekly Point-Scorers
Order (C-Competition, D-Drama, R-Romance, B-Bonus)
1. DEVIN: 60 Pts. (C-40, D-20)
T-2. NANY: 55 Pts. (C-35, D-20)
T-2. WES: 55 Pts. (all in competition)
T-4. NATE & CHRISTINA: 40 Pts. each (all in competition)
T-6. DARIO and CHEYENNE: 35 Pts. (both with C-20 & D-10)
T-8. NICOLE and VINCE: 20 Pts. each
T-10. ASHLEY, BANANAS and SARAH: 10 Pts. each
► Top 10 Total Point-Scorers
Players already eliminated are shaded out
1. CAMILA: 390 Pts.
2. NANY: 325 Pts.
T-3. ASHLEY and DEVIN: 320 Pts.
5. WES: 270 Pts.
6. CHEYENNE: 235 Pts.
7. BANANAS: 230 Pts.
8. VINCE: 220 Pts.
9. NATE: 210 Pts.
10. SARAH: 200 Pts.
► Category Key Scorers & Big Scores
And that's it for the first installment of DCBLOG's Strategy Room this summer. As mentioned, next week before the second half of their season begins, we'll look at how the AYTO Season 4 cast have fared which after a good start has now cooled off a bit. Of course, we'll have this week's episodes covered for you here this weekend, plus we'll look at a common thread that binds four girls of the Trifecta, as well as the relationship that's just gone bust in Hawaii being translated into a simple musical ode. Find out these things and others on the 'Pulse and WRAP, and don't forget to share these links on your social networks and leave comments about this site below or at @DC408Dxtr.
And very soon, DCBLOG will turn the attention to an event I'm anxiously looking forward to - the upcoming Rio Olympics. As I tweeted last night, I plan to write a post on the rise of the U.S. Women's National Team to the top of women's soccer on the 25th anniversary of their 1991 Women's World Cup win and 20 years after capturing their first Olympic gold medal. Watch for that and a slew of other Olympic-related articles on my DC GAMES '16 series starting before the Games begin, and full-blown upon the conclusion of this Rivals III season, which ends the same day as the first day of the Olympic soccer competition - Wed., August 3rd, two days before the flame is lit in Brazil.
As for now, follow DCNOW at @DC408DxNow for live Rivals III tweets later with the hashtag #DCChallenge if you want to join in on my conversation. Plus this weekend, I plan on doing live tweets of boxing's next major fight, as Terence Crawford faces Viktor Postol for supremacy of the 140-pound division, along with the final stage of the Tour de France - as always, schedule is subject to change. And as always, give me a follow at @DC408Dxtr on Twitter, Instagram, and SnapChat, and also check out DC YouTube with new videos just posted there.
Thank you for reading and until I talk to you later tonight on DCNOW and back here this weekend, enjoy the rest of your week and see you then.
- I AM DC
And, this happens to be my power rankings.
● 1. BANANAS & SARAH
● 2. WES & NANY
● 3. JENNA & VINCE
● 4. DARIO & NICOLE
● 5. CHEYENNE & DEVIN
FANTASY TRAX
Now, taking care of unfinished business in bringing you the fantasy scoring from last week...► Weekly Point-Scorers
Order (C-Competition, D-Drama, R-Romance, B-Bonus)
1. DEVIN: 60 Pts. (C-40, D-20)
T-2. NANY: 55 Pts. (C-35, D-20)
T-2. WES: 55 Pts. (all in competition)
T-4. NATE & CHRISTINA: 40 Pts. each (all in competition)
T-6. DARIO and CHEYENNE: 35 Pts. (both with C-20 & D-10)
T-8. NICOLE and VINCE: 20 Pts. each
T-10. ASHLEY, BANANAS and SARAH: 10 Pts. each
► Top 10 Total Point-Scorers
Players already eliminated are shaded out
1. CAMILA: 390 Pts.
2. NANY: 325 Pts.
T-3. ASHLEY and DEVIN: 320 Pts.
5. WES: 270 Pts.
6. CHEYENNE: 235 Pts.
7. BANANAS: 230 Pts.
8. VINCE: 220 Pts.
9. NATE: 210 Pts.
10. SARAH: 200 Pts.
► Category Key Scorers & Big Scores
● DEVIN: Devin scores 20 drama points for getting into two verbal fights (10 pts. each) - one with Dario & Vince in jungle and the other with Vince in the club. He also earns 20 pts. for getting scolded by TJ after the week's mission and another 20 for pulling a white skull in the jungle.
● NANY: Nany earns 55 total points: 10 for giving a toast at the club bar with Jenna, 10 points for crying twice (talking with Wes and in confessional talking about Nicole), 10 points for going first in the mission and 5 for finishing second in it, and 20 points for winning the elimination.
● WES: Wes earns 55 total points - all in competition - for the same reasons in the last three categories with Nany, plus scoring 20 points for pulling white skull in the jungle.
● COMPETITION - Bananas & Sarah score 10 points for winning the mission. The three teams of Devin & Cheyenne, Dario & Nicole and Nate & Christina earn 20 points each for TJ showing his displeasure for their mission performance; the ladder also earn an additional 20 points for winning their Jungle
● WES: Wes earns 55 total points - all in competition - for the same reasons in the last three categories with Nany, plus scoring 20 points for pulling white skull in the jungle.
● COMPETITION - Bananas & Sarah score 10 points for winning the mission. The three teams of Devin & Cheyenne, Dario & Nicole and Nate & Christina earn 20 points each for TJ showing his displeasure for their mission performance; the ladder also earn an additional 20 points for winning their Jungle
● DRAMA - Ashley earns 10 points for crying twice after losing her elimination battle. Cheyenne gets 10 points for yelling at Devin at the club, while Dario earns 10 pts. for the aforementioned fight with Devin above...same goes for Vince in getting 20 verbal fighting points (with Devin in jungle and in club).
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
And that's it for the first installment of DCBLOG's Strategy Room this summer. As mentioned, next week before the second half of their season begins, we'll look at how the AYTO Season 4 cast have fared which after a good start has now cooled off a bit. Of course, we'll have this week's episodes covered for you here this weekend, plus we'll look at a common thread that binds four girls of the Trifecta, as well as the relationship that's just gone bust in Hawaii being translated into a simple musical ode. Find out these things and others on the 'Pulse and WRAP, and don't forget to share these links on your social networks and leave comments about this site below or at @DC408Dxtr.
And very soon, DCBLOG will turn the attention to an event I'm anxiously looking forward to - the upcoming Rio Olympics. As I tweeted last night, I plan to write a post on the rise of the U.S. Women's National Team to the top of women's soccer on the 25th anniversary of their 1991 Women's World Cup win and 20 years after capturing their first Olympic gold medal. Watch for that and a slew of other Olympic-related articles on my DC GAMES '16 series starting before the Games begin, and full-blown upon the conclusion of this Rivals III season, which ends the same day as the first day of the Olympic soccer competition - Wed., August 3rd, two days before the flame is lit in Brazil.
As for now, follow DCNOW at @DC408DxNow for live Rivals III tweets later with the hashtag #DCChallenge if you want to join in on my conversation. Plus this weekend, I plan on doing live tweets of boxing's next major fight, as Terence Crawford faces Viktor Postol for supremacy of the 140-pound division, along with the final stage of the Tour de France - as always, schedule is subject to change. And as always, give me a follow at @DC408Dxtr on Twitter, Instagram, and SnapChat, and also check out DC YouTube with new videos just posted there.
Thank you for reading and until I talk to you later tonight on DCNOW and back here this weekend, enjoy the rest of your week and see you then.
- I AM DC
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