This week on “Survivor 50,” the season’s “In the Hands of the Fans” theme reared its head once more as the remaining castaways were forced to reckon with an early-game tribe swap.
While the twist left some players scrambling for purchase after being removed from their allies, it ultimately spelled disaster for one castaway in particular – Q Burdette – who became the latest victim of the milestone season after his ill-advised plan to target the freshly-reunited “David vs. Goliath” trio (Mike White, Christian Hubicki & Angelina Keeley) went up in smoke on the new Vatu Tribe.
After Q’s blindside elimination, only 20 players remain in the competition to claim the title of “Sole Survivor” and the $1 million grand prize that comes with it. But who – based on the information we have right now – stands the best chance of winning “Survivor 50”?
Check out a full break-down of DraftKings’ “Survivor 50” power rankings after Episode 3 “Did You Vote for a Swap?,” including who’s currently leading the pack, which castaways improved their chances, and who’s potentially in danger of going home next week.
‘Survivor 50’ Power Rankings After Episode 3: ‘Did You Vote for a Swap?’
- Christian Hubicki
- Rick Devens
- Ozzy Lusth
- Colby Donaldson (+1 from Week 2 ranking)
- Jonathan Young (+1)
- Genevieve Mushaluk (-2)
- Benjamin “Coach” Wade
- Aubry Bracco
- Cirie Fields
- Mike White (+6)
- Dee Valladares (+5)
- Chrissy Hofbeck (+6)
- Tiffany Nicole Ervin (+2)
- Rizo Velovic (-1)
- Emily Flippen (-4)
- Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick (-4)
- Kamilla Karthigesu (-3)
- Joe Hunter (+2)
- Angelina Keeley (+2)
- Charlie Davis (-1)
- Quintavius “Q” Burdette – Eliminated in Episode 3
- Savannah Louie – Eliminated in Episode 2
- Kyle Fraser – Medically Evacuated in Episode 1
- Jenna Lewis-Dougherty – Eliminated in Episode 1
Christian Hubicki Celebrates Third Week at the Top of the Leader Board
CBSWhile pre-season rankings placed “Survivor: Kaoh Rong” runner-up Aubry Bracco as the favorite to eventually win “Survivor 50,” that honor has belonged solely to “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” fan favorite Christian Hubicki since the milestone season premiered last month.
After masterfully orchestrating the blindsides of both Jenna Lewis-Dougherty and Savannah Louie on his original Cila Tribe, teaming up with Rick Devens to hide a fake Immunity Idol at Tribal Council, and firmly establishing himself as a main character on the all-star season, Hubicki has maintained 1st position on DraftKings “Survivor 50” power rankings for three weeks running.
Hubicki’s power position is particularly impressive considering that he’s so far attended every single Tribal Council ceremony. That being said, this week’s tribe swap actually worked out well for the robotics professor, who was able to reunite with his “David vs. Goliath” allies Mike White and Angelina Keeley on the new Vatu Tribe.
It remains to be seen, however, if the alliance will carry Christian through to the Merge or put an even larger target on his back. Regardless, Hubicki currently stands as the favorite to eventually win “Survivor 50.”
Mike White & Chrissy Hofbeck Rise in the Rankings After Tribe Swap
While this week’s tribe swap spoiled Q Burdette’s chances of winning the milestone season, the twist helped two castaways in particular rehabilitate their positions in DraftKings’ power rankings, with Mike White and Chrissy Hofbeck rising six places each.
CBSWhite, now reunited with Christian and Angelina on the new Vatu Tribe, rose to a respectable 10th place from a precarious 16th place after last week’s second episode. Despite the new tribe’s mad dash to figure out who to eliminate after losing their first Immunity challenge together, White’s name never came up as an option for the vote.
With Q gone, Mike is now firmly established as the safest member of the majority alliance on Vatu.
CBSMeanwhile, Chrissy similarly rose six points (from 18th to 12th place) this week after receiving some sage advice from Benjamin “Coach” Wade, who told her, rather bluntly, to stop talking so much.
Hofbeck had been in danger after last week’s episode saw her former Kalo tribemates getting irked with her “motherly” and “bossy” demeanour around camp. This week, however, the “Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers” runner-up’s vulnerable confessional detailing her battle with breast cancer saw Chrissy upgraded from “a possible early boot” to a “fringe contender” on DraftKings’ power rankings.
Stephenie LaGrossa & Emily Flippen Suffer Biggest Episode 3 Set-Backs
Where Mike and Chrissy rose in the rankings, Stephenia LaGrossa Kendrick and Emily Flippen fell this week.
CBSStephenie’s four-point drop from 12th to 16th place in the rankings is fairly self-explanatory. On the new Vatu Tribe, her name was publicly circulated as an option for the first post-swap vote and, if it weren’t for Q’s chaotic shenanigans, she likely would’ve been the one getting their torch snuffed by Jeff Probst at Tribal Council.
As it stands, LaGrossa remains on the bottom of the tribe and could be in danger if Vatu find themselves at Tribal Council again in the near future.
That being said, Stephenie’s fellow Vatu tribemate Emily Flippen could also be in trouble, having fallen four points from 11th to 15th place after Episode 3’s tribe swap.
While Emily successfully flipped on Q during this week’s vote, the elimination resulted in an even three-three split between the “David vs. Goliath” trio and rest of the tribe’s members (Emily, Ozzy & Stephenie).
Given Ozzy’s connection with Christian from their original Cila Tribe, and his relationship with Mike White outside of the game, it’s no surprise that DraftKings’ power rankings dropped both Stephenie and Emily after this week’s installment.
Who’s in Danger of Going Home Next Week on ‘Survivor 50’?
CBSWhile the changes to this week’s power rankings from DraftKings focused heavily on the new Vatu tribe, it’s actually “Survivor 46” runner-up Charlie Davis who the odds betting site predicted is in the most danger heading into Episode 4.
Davis hasn’t been a major player so far this season. Unsurprising given the unprecedented size of the cast and the fact that he has yet to attend Tribal Council. Regardless, Charlie currently sits at the rock bottom of DraftKings’ power rankings.
Charlie dropped from 19th to 20th place this week after starting a one-sided rivalry with Rizo Velovic after learning that Rizo voted for Savannah Louie to win “Survivor 49” over his so-called “No. 1 ally” Sophi Balerdi.
The comment clearly triggered some trauma in Davis, who lost his own finale by a single vote after his No. 1 ally, Maria Gonzalez, voted in favor of Kenzie Petty instead of him.
Will Charlie’s one-sided beef with Rizo bubble to the surface? Find out when “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans” returns to CBS screens nationwide on Wednesday, March 18 at 8:00pm ET.
