Well, I haven't commented in here in a while, so I figured I'd get a post in before we're down to the finale.

Well, everyone certainly hates Dustin & Kandice! Unfortunately for 'Bama that seems to be all their story is about anymore. We havent heard anything from Phil about their accomplishments really. They are being edited as just nasty, and their main redeeming point - running the race for their kids - has not been mentioned in quite a while. They are completely focused on their rivalry with the beauty queens. Their other main story - their association/disassociation with the 6 pack alliance has come full circle. They have proven that they can do well on their own, and even that perhaps the alliance was holding them back. They've now proven that though - and now it seems to me that all that is left is the resolving of their feud with the beauty queens - which based on their being edited as the nasty ones of the two (this could have easily been edited the opposite way), I see their story ending with them losing out to the beauty queens. Will this be the next episode or in the final leg? I'm not sure. I'm leaning toward this coming episode, because the feud really seems to be reaching its climax, but it could go into the final leg.

Tyler and James - I just really still dont see enough substance from them for them to be our winners. I think that they'll make it to the final leg just because the 'Bama/Beaty Queen rivalry is coming to a head, but if that doesnt get resolved this coming episode - I think it'll be Tyler and James that go this coming leg. Perhaps they'll be our surprise elimination? Or perhaps James' deficiencies will be their downfall. I think that the highlighting of this is crucial to their story. It really wasnt noticeable to the viewers until they brought it up, and now we notice it - but they've done well since mentioning it. So, I think that we may see that this will be their downfall.

Rob and Kimberly - They're really showing some promise now I think. At the right time they've started really working well together and working past their issues. Most fighting couples at this point reach a fever pitch and start to really fall apart, but Rob and Kimberly are being shown to do the opposite. It really seems like we're being given the upswing and given reasons for a win from them. I see either them or D&K winning. Kim has really been shown as a strong, serious competitor. Perhaps thats to satisfy the desire for a female win that they've created? They do seem to be having horrible luck though, will that finally end, or be their downfall. The thing is, I dont really see that we've been given what their downfall will be if they lose - unless they fall apart again or just have bad luck.

I still think that D&K are the most likely winners though. I sat in disbelief when they were last, and jumped up and cheered when Phil said they werent eliminated - and this coming from a viewer that normally cant stand the "models or beauty queens". We are supposed to be rooting for them. They have been shown very rounded, to have their weaknesses and now I think we've been shown their moment where they need to overcome the odds - but we've also been shown that they of any of the teams are capable of this. It really feels like they've been edited as "true racers" more than any of the other teams. Of the rivalry with 'Bama, D&K certainly come off much more sympathetic and likeable. Their actions are shown to be understandable and in the spirit of competition, while 'Bama is shown to be poor sports - NO WAY would the editors ever depict winners as poor sports. We're supposed to be worried for Dustin and Kandice next episode, but have faith that they can overcome. After each non-elimination leg so far we've had a fast foward in the next leg - so odds are that will come along again. From what I remember of the previews we weren't shown anything that would indicate that D&K definitely dont take advantage of that were we?

By the way, great comments everyone! I havent had much time to comment myself, but I've definitely enjoyed reading the posts each week.