With only eight players left on Survivor 49, three factions have emerged, and it’s going to come down to which of these small alliances can merge to take down the other. There are some situations ripe for blindsides, but which survivors will be the first to do so?
In episode 9, Rizo Velovic and Savannah Louie were public enemies numbers one and two. By association, Sophi Balerdi was next on the hit list, though most of the players like her.
Over the two days, however, Rizo was able to deflect attention from himself onto Alex Moore. Alex has been floating along between alliances, playing all sides. Unlike his lone surviving original tribemate, Sophi, he hadn’t really picked a side. He got caught sharing secrets on both sides, putting him at risk with all alliances.
It helped that Rizo had an idol, and Savannah won immunity during the challenge. It was her second consecutive immunity win. Steven Ramm also won immunity when Jeff Probst announced at the challenge that both a man and a woman would win immunity.
Just about everyone wanted to get Rizo or Savannah out, and at the very least, force Rizo to play his idol. Because of Alex’s duplicity catching up to him, however, Rizo and his idol are still in the game.
8. Kristina Mills
Although Kristina has an idol of her own, one that not many people are aware of, she should be in a bigger position of power. It just doesn’t seem that way. Though she is no threat whatsoever in challenges, she isn’t along just for the ride with her main allies, Steven and Sophie Segreti. Kristina made a huge mistake by displaying obvious disappointment when Sophie returned from the previous tribal council. Though allies, Kristina wanted Sophie out of the game without dirtying her own hands.
7. Sophie Segreti
Sophie noticed and was hurt that her supposed allies were disappointed she was voted out in episode eight, when only half the players went to tribal. It was a wake-up call and made her understand she needs to look out for herself. It was in her best interests to go along with her allies this time, but she may not in the future.
6. Savannah Louie
It’s challenging to rank Savannah because she’s been such a strong player. She has two immunity wins under her belt, and she’s a good strategist. As of now, she has two strong allies in Rizo and Sophi, and she still has an extra vote.
Still, if she ever goes to tribal without immunity, she’s a likely target, and it will be difficult for her allies to save her without sacrificing themselves.
5. Sophi Balerdi
Sophi is well-liked by most, and they don’t see her as a threat beyond her alignment with Rizo and Savannah. She does hold a Knowledge is Power advantage, however, so if she ever learns of Kristina’s idol, she very well could steal it for herself or her alliance.
If she wants to make a signature, fantastic move, she could steal Rizo’s and turn the game on its head.
4. Steven Ramm
Steven is such an intriguing player, and he has ties to Sage Ahrens-Nichols and Jawan Pitts with their secret Bottoms Up alliance, but he’s still close to Kristina and Sophie, even if there is a crack now between those two women. He is well-liked, and if he could pull off a game-changing move and survive to the final three, he could win.
At times, he seems strategic, but he plays things relatively close to the vest. He also hasn’t been featured that much in confessionals, and that is seldom a great sign.
3. Rizo Velovic
Rizo made a significant leap up the Survivor 49 power rankings this week after somehow retaining his idol despite efforts to flush it and get him out of the game for three consecutive tribal councils. It’s been amazing to watch.
That said, he is overflowing with confidence and is sure he is in total control of the game. That seldom ends well for players like that. If he can hold his alliance of three together for a few more votes, he may be able to pull off an unlikely victory.
2. Sage Ahrens-Nichols
Sage drops out of the top spot this week, not because she did anything wrong, but because he closest ally, Jawan, is a more active player right now. Sage has been terrific since the tribe swaps early on, and though she has slid a bit under the radar, she is still playing the game, just not as obviously as Jawan is.
If it comes down to her and Jawan as two of the final three, Jawan will have way more friends on the jury, and Sage is sure to have a few she didn’t get along with.
1. Jawan Pitts
Jawan has grown the most in the game. Early on, he said and did awkward things and rubbed many of his tribemates the wrong way, including Rizo and Savannah. He found a strong ally in Sage, and he’s been gaining confidence with each passing day. He influenced some of the recent votes, but not in an overbearing way. He is hitting Survivor stride at just the right time, and he could be a surprise winner when considering his rough start.
Survivor 49 is barreling toward the homestretch, and the previews for episode 10 looked like it is going to be terrific, with maybe a few shocking moves. Can’t wait!