LAST EDITED ON 04-25-06 AT 02:43 PM (EST)

Well, I haven't posted much of anything the past two weeks, but I wanted to get a post in before the next episode.

How many of us loyal race fans were ecstatic over that last episode??? I LOVED it! PURE Amazing Race unpredicatability. For all the editing analysis we've done NEVER would I have expected to see Fran and Barry winning a leg (kudos to them!), and NEVER would I have expected BOTH the frat boys and BJ/Tyler to be at the bottom!

Fran and Barry - as much as they've been the crotchety grand parents this season they pulled off an unexpected win. Of note to the editing - they had their game together this time around and we actually saw some of those skills they claimed to have, but until now have been in hiding. Not a bad time to bring out the skills. But, I still think that this is more of a one-time thing, or at least not very long lived. I dont see their edit getting them to the top three. Maybe third, but I really think they come in fourth. Still, way to go for the win. And they were actually quite a bit ahead of MoJo - the sun was fully out when they got to the pit stop, and it was almost down when MoJo got there. I'll be interested to see what the actual time difference was.

MoJo - This is still my pick for the team to beat. While they bicker and Monica is breaking down more often - I dont see this as a huge hinderance to them in the race that I think it may turn out to be for Ray and Yolanda if their bickering continues. Monica stated prior to the race that they bicker a lot, so I think they must be fairly good at letting the bickering roll of their backs and move on. As for the editing - this constant talking about their "luck" has to play a role in the end. Will their professed terrible luck do them in, or will they have great luck at one crucial moment? I'm tending to think its the latter. All winners are shown to struggle, and have difficulties - while constant struggle is not good, a healthy dose of it shows what was overcome to win.

Ray and Yolanda - They surged from last to third thru the misfortune and error of the boys teams. I think their bickering is causing Yolanda to start having emotional reactions and worrying about their relationship, etc. This is not a good thing. This will kill you in the race, because where bickering itself may not seriously hinder a team that is strong in their relationship - letting it take your mind off the race and put your focus on worrying about your relationship is a killer. They need to get back to a good place with each other pronto, or they're going to have problems. They are consistently the weakest racers of the group lately. It was hidden from us for a while, so I think they still have longevity, but I just dont see with all their getting lost and falling behind that they consistently do, I dont see them winning unless the other two teams have horrible "luck" - MoJo maybe?

Frat Boys - Oh, it was so nice to see the mighty fall and have their confidence busted a bit. What was it they said about the others eating their dust? Nice to see that snarkiness come back to bite them. Their portion of the episode could be called "Overconfidence will kill you". They were so concerned with getting in first that they nearly got themselves elimintated! Thats something to sit back and reflect on as a team. As I mentioned in a previous post, I thought we'd see one of the boys teams screw up and not be able to recover from the bottom. I think this may be the Frat Boys undoing. BJ/Tyler seem to have more substance to draw upon to get back in the game. It'll be interesting to see how the two sets of guys race together at the back of the pack as opposed to fairly worry-free at the front of the pack.

BJ and Tyler - poor boys just didnt have luck on their side this time, except the most important stroke of luck - having your worst leg be the first non-elimination leg. As much as MoJo talked about it - it was BJ and Tyler's luck that stunk this episode. I felt horrible for Tyler in that sand, ugh. It made me think of the girls with all those bales of hay in season six. I think BJ and Tyler have had their ego check, but have the depth and mindset to pull themselves up and get back on track. I dont think we've been shown that with the frat boys.

So, I think it will be one of the boys teams to go this week unless Fran and Barry quickly revert back to their old ways. I think Fran and Barry are around for a little longer though...