Ranking the Remaining Contestants in Survivor: Winners at War

Through this difficult time, there hasn't been much in the way of entertainment. Sports have been cancelled, along with every other "normal" thing in our lives. One of the things that has stuck around is Survivor. The reality show that mixes social skills, strategy, and physical abilities is in its 40th season and it's not close to getting old as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. This season, the theme is one fans have been dreaming about for a good decade now:Winners at War, pitting 20 winners against each other for $2 million with a plethora of new, fresh, and exciting twists in their way. 8 former winners are on Edge of Extinction after being voted out to win their way back in. Sandra Diaz-Twine, the only 2-time winner, quit after being voted out. We rank the 11 still in the game based on their chance to repeat as champs.

11.Adam Klein (winner of Millennials vs Gen X)

Adam played well his first time around, winning unanimously while not creating much tension with the other castaways. This time, he's been a victim of playing too hard, thus rubbing his tribemates the wrong way with his paranoia. For the first two episodes, the San Franciscan seemed to be playing a smart game, positioning himself with the "new-school" players and gaining a close ally in Denise Stapley. The next episode, he abandoned his advantageous position and going after Parvati Shallow. Smart move, right? Yep. He had the numbers and everything. The problem was the execution. The season 33 winner decided he had to buddy up to Parvati's closest ally, Boston Rob Mariano. He made the brilliant move of spilling the beans to Boston Rob, who turned around and used this to make Adam's allies vote for Ethan because they didn't trust Adam. The only way you see Adam Klein at Final Tribal Council is as the goat.

10.Nick Wilson (winner of David vs Goliath)

Nick's struggles this season were a bit easier to see coming. He handily won his season with some good post-merge gameplay, but he would've been the first boot if not for a medical evacuation. His skills weren't close to that of some of the legendary cast members, so his spot on the list shouldn't be shocking. However, the Kentucky native still disappointed this season. He should've know coming in that he wouldn't be up there with some of the greats, and try to make up for it with his gameplay. At least Adam swung for the fences. With his inactivity, he's dug his own grave while making himself out to be untrustworthy, as Jeremy Collins described at the merge episode. In a season of huge           make-you-or-break-you moves, Nick has disappointed with his fear of making a move.

9.Tony Vlachos (winner of Cagayan: Brain vs Brawn vs Beauty)

Tony played one of the greatest games of Survivor in Cagayan, but as he proved in Game Changers, it was a one-in-a-million game. It was miraculous that the rest of the cast didn't get rid of him, and then that Woo brought him to the finals. Unlike the first two on the list, Tony does have a real chance at the $2 mil, but he'll have to get to the finale first. That's the part that looks like a long shot. The New Jersey cop showed his entire hand in his first season, and since, the rest of the cast has caught on. They know if Tony's gone for the afternoon, he's probably got a spy shack. They know Tony will swear on anything if it advances his game. In Cagayan, Tony took out a loan, showing all the moves in his arsenal. Now, he has to pay it back. 

8.Michele Fitzgerald(winner of Kaoh Rong: Brain vs Brawn vs Beauty)

Michele is one of the most controversial winners in the show's history. She was outplayed, yet took home the million. I was also on this anti Michele bandwagon, but knew that she could certainly prove herself this season. Unfortunately, that was not the case. She hasn't been impressive, but seems to be well liked by the cast. The former Beauty tribe member isn't in great position to win, but she can coast along for a few more episodes and then make some big moves, a la Sarah in Game Changers. I question if Michele has what it takes to repeat as a champion, but if she keeps her current pace up, she's a plausible final 4 candidate.

7.Ben Dreibergen (winner of Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers)

Ben has learned what Heisman and Wooden winners learn every year: this is the big leagues. While many were upset with the nature of his victory, Ben showed himself to be a capable player with his clever strategy, idol finding prowess, and flair for the dramatic at Tribal Council. The problem is, he's playing against a bunch of people who share those qualities, but are better. Ben has the ability to dominate in a season of less seasoned players, but it's yet to be seen how he can adjust in a big pond with big fish like Winners at War. That being said, Ben was a bit of a nobody around this time in Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers before going on an unprecedented tear. Can he replicate that with a group of players as competent as the ones in this season?

6.Kim Spradlin (winner of One World)

Kim's rookie campaign is one of the most dominant overall games I've seen in the game of Survivor. After the merge, she was unstoppable, completely manipulating everyone on the way to an easy million. That's why it hurts me to put her in this mediocre spot. Kim hasn't done anything poorly, but nothing she did stands out to me. It will be more difficult to control the game this season, but if Kim steps up to bat like she did her first season with an "all in" mentality, she can make a strong case for why she should win Survivor: Winners at War. 

5.Jeremy Collins (winner of Cambodia: Second Chance)

Like Kim, Jeremy played a great game on his winning season, winning unanimously. Unfortunately, that's not all there is to winning or else Tom Brady and LeBron James would be taking home trophies yearly for as long as they lived. Jeremy doesn't have a trademark move so far this season, but he's quietly made all the right moves. The Boston fireman has teamed up with his fellow new schoolers, especially forming strong bonds with Michele Fitzgerald and Denise Stapley. As he did in Cambodia, Jeremy can bring home the bacon if he can keep threats in front of him to point the finger at and eliminate.

4.Tyson Apostol (winner of Blood vs Water)

It brings me so much pain to not put Tyson at the top of the list. Unfortunately, there's a concept called journalistic integrity where I can't play favorites. Tyson didn't get the chance to spread his wings before being sent to the Edge of Extinction. However, the Survivor comedian won the re-entry challenge after fueling up with some peanut butter. Now, he has the chance to get back to where he went in Blood vs Water. Tyson hasn't had time to do anything, but his humor and charisma can win him the game. The only thing holding him back is the fact that the other contestants will target him for that same charm. 

3.Sophie Clarke (winner of South Pacific)

As with Michele, I came in thinking that Sophie didn't deserve play with the rest of the cast. I'm starting to think the rest of the cast doesn't deserve to play with Sophie. She hasn't stepped into the spotlight like Denise or Tony, but instead has quietly built bonds with half the cast. Who did Sarah tell about her idol? Sophie. Who did Kim give half of her idol to? Sophie. She's not as obvious a winner as many, but the relationships she's made with her tribemates might allow her to run away with the $2 million.

2.Denise Stapley (winner of Philippines)

What Denise did in her first season blew me away. She went to every single Tribal Council eligible to be voted out, but managed to avoid elimination in each occasion. Nevertheless, I didn't think she had another magical performance in her. Boy was I wrong. The sex therapist pulled off the move of the season when she bought an idol from Sandra Diaz-Twine and then turned around and used it to blindside the Queen and 2-time winner herself. Denise already has made her "Heisman moment." Now the only thing she needs is to make the final 3.

1.Sarah Lacina (winner of Game Changers)

Sarah has mastered the strategy and pace of Survivor. She knows to go easy in the pre-merge and to make sure you don't put a target on your back. Then, a few episodes after the merge, hit the gas and go hard, making huge moves to make everyone remember you and all of your achievements. This is what Sarah did impeccably in Game Changers. Now, in Winners at War, she has completed part 1 and the only question is if she can close the deal. Blink and you'll miss it, but Sarah Lacina has perfectly set herself up to win Survivor: Winners at War.