“Survivor 50” has only just begun, but that hasn’t stopped fans and former players alike from casting their votes for who they think has what it takes to walk away from the milestone season as its “Sole Survivor.”
While pre-season press gave viewers a fair amount of information about this season’s 24 returning castaways – the largest cast the franchise has ever seen in its 26 years on CBS – Wednesday night’s three-hour premiere episode provided more context as to how their performance on the installment might actually shake down.
Thankfully, DraftKings’ Bryan Armetta has been meticulously documenting each castaways chances of winning “Survivor 50” as a result of their in-game strategy and rapidly forming alliances.
Here’s a closer look at the current “Survivor 50” power rankings after Episode 1, “Epic Party,” according to DraftKings.
‘Survivor 50’ Power Rankings After Episode 1, ‘Epic Party’
Christian Hubicki (+7 from pre-season ranking)
Oscar “Ozzy” Lusth (+4)
Genevieve Mushaluk (+8)
Rick Devens (+6)
Colby Donaldson (+9)
Benjamin “Coach” Wade (-3)
Tiffany Nicole Ervin (-3)
Kamilla Karthigesu (-1)
Chrissy Hofbeck (-4)
Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick (+6)
Cirie Fields (-8)
Jonathan Young (+2)
Rizo “Rizgod” Velovic (-1)
Aubry Bracco (-13)
Charlie Davis (-6)
Emily Flippen (+6)
Dee Valladares (+2)
Quintavius “Q” Burdette (+6)
Mike White (+6)
Joe Hunter (-4)
Savannah Louie (+2)
Angelina Keeley (-4)
Kyle Fraser – Medically Evacuated
Jenna Lewis Dougherty – Eliminated
Biggest “Survivor 50” Odds Increases Post-Premiere Episode
CBSColby Donaldson on ‘Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.’
Out of the 22 castaways remaining in the competition after the premiere, “Survivor: The Australian Outback” runner-up Colby Donaldson celebrated the highest rise in likelihood to win the golden anniversary season, rocketing all the way to fifth place on DraftKings’ ranking.
While fans worried about Colby’s return 16 years after his most recent appearance on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,” the 51-year-old auto customizer adapted quickly to the “New Era” format on this week’s episode, even forming a wary alliance with the season’s youngest competitor, Rizo Velovic.
That being said, Donaldson’s ranking is, as always, subject to change in the coming weeks, particularly after losing a tentative ally in Kyle Fraser after the latter’s shocking medical evacuation. Colby similarly lost a potential ally in Jenna Lewis-Dougherty, one of the few pre-season connections he had on the cast, following her elimination.
Donaldson similarly lost his vote during a journey showdown against “Survivor 49” champion Savannah Louie. Regardless, DraftKings predicts that, given his current standing on the Vatu Tribe, Colby has a (mostly) unimpeded path to the Merge.
Ozzy Lusth and Genevieve Mushaluk similarly received boosts to their power rankings – up eight and four places, respectively – courtesy of receiving the all-new “Billie Eilish Boomerang Idol.” The duo currently sit at second and third place, respectively, on the power rankings’ leader board.
CBSChristian Hubicki on ‘Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.’
The top spot, however, now belongs to Christian Hubicki, who was instrumental in orchestrating Jenna’s last-place blindside.
Biggest “Survivor” Odds Decreases Post-Premiere Episode
CBSAubry Bracco on ‘Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.’
Prior to the premiere episode’s release on Wednesday (Feb. 25), “Survivor: Kaoh Rong” runner-up Aubry Bracco was widely considered the favorite to win Season 50. After the episode, however, Bracco suffered the most devastating decrease on DraftKings’ power ranking, dropping from first place to 13th.
“There wasn’t a ton of her on our screens,” wrote Armetta. “Which probably isn’t a good sign for longevity in this game.”
Aubry’s ice-cold response to Genevieve’s offer of an alliance similarly put her in a bad position with the Vatu Tribe. That being said, Kyle’s unfortunate medical evacuation offer the fourth-time player a reprieve that she otherwise might not have gotten, especially after Fraser himself revealed that, if he hadn’t been removed from the game, Bracco would’ve likely been the tribe’s first target.
CBSCirie Fields on ‘Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.’
The only other “Survivor 50” castaway to plummet down in the rankings after Episode 1 was franchise darling Cirie Fields, who dropped eight points, falling from third position to 11th.
DraftKings’ decision to lower Cirie’s ranking was motivated by her abysmal performance in the season’s first immunity challenge, which directly resulted in her Cila Tribe being forced to attend the first Tribal Council of the installment.
Fields even received a vote against her at the elimination ceremony – courtesy of Jenna – but was ultimately able to convince the rest of her tribe to turn on the “Survivor: Borneo” alum instead.
According to Armetta, if Cirie hopes to maintain her power position, “She’ll have to make some connections fast with power players such as Christian, Rick and Emily.”
“Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans” returns on Wednesday, March 3 at 8:00pm ET. Check back next week for updated power rankings, courtesy of DraftKings.
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