Survivor: Kaoh Rong - Power Rankings
Week 11
By Jim Van Nest
April 26, 2016
BoxOfficeProphets.com

You don't look so smug now, we bet.
Hello, good people, and thanks for coming back for another week's worth of Power Rankings. What a frickin' episode, am I right? Scot continued his descent into the Dark Side and Tai redeemed himself on the biggest stage. That being said, I think Tai totally screwed himself and that will be reflected in the Power Rankings this week. Overall, the rankings won't change too much, but there will be some shuffling at the bottom of the pile as Kyle will be forced to work his ass off if he wants to stay in the game and Tai is gonna be in the middle of a storm when he gets back to camp. We'll see how he weathers it. Anyway, without further ado:

Here are this week's Power Rankings:

1) Aubry - I see no reason to move Aubry from #1. If anything, I feel even stronger about this rank. I already said she was the best player out there and she went out and proved it this week. People will remember this as Tai's week, because he had the big move, but this was really Aubry's week. She turned Tai back to the good side. The conversation she had with him about head and heart in the game of Survivor was exactly what Tai needed to hear. He was already struggling with what he was becoming in this game, and when Aubry extended a friendly hand and then let him know that he had three more friendly hands waiting to bring him in, that was all it took. Aubry definitely has her finger on the pulse of this game right now. She should be the target next week, but with Cydney, Joe and now Tai with her, I don't think anyone can touch her right now.

2) Cydney - Cydney remains as Aubry's #1a. They're making decisions together, they're really getting along and they see the game the same way. Aubry's strong runs in the challenges this week may have opened some eyes that she's not just a strategic threat. She's also a challenge threat now. IF people pick up on that and IF people decide to target her for that, Cydney can emerge as the hands down favorite to win this thing. She's playing a very good game, keeping her emotions in check while always finding herself on the right side of the numbers and the vote.

3) Michele - Michele is quietly playing a really good game. She, too, is always on the right side of the numbers and the vote. She's Julia's bestie and she's in with Aubry and Cydney. And let's face it; if people ever smarten up, they're going to come for Aubry and Cydney, not Michele. Right now, I could easily see her sitting in the final three (or two, whatever the case may be)...but it will take a big move for her to come away with the win. It's in her to do it, but at this point, it will probably require her to turn on Aubry and Cydney in a way that lets everyone know SHE was the one pulling the strings on that boot.


4) Julia - Julia moves up a spot this week because Kyle's game just blew up in his face, and Tai seriously weakened himself. Still riding the middle, it was Julia's idea to force Tai to play an idol, and it would have worked if Aubry hadn't had a better plan. Again, Julia is playing a pretty solid game and an amazing one for someone of her age. Problem is, she's starting to be seen as part of the Kyle/Scot alliance, which paints her as a villain and I'm not sure people will want to vote for her in the end, regardless of the quality of her game.

5) Kyle - It's true, that Kyle's game went up in smoke last week. But that could turn out to be a great thing for him. With Scot gone and the main power couple broken up, the rest of the group may start setting sights on Aubry or Cydney or Tai, leaving Kyle just hanging out on the side of things. He might be seen as "no longer a threat" and people could kinda forget about him out there while they focus on the bigger fish. If he can put away his pride and try to reconcile with Tai this week, he could find himself back in a power position before this game ends. I think there's a way that Kyle can win, but it will take a lot of work, some pride swallowing and a little luck for it to happen.

6) Tai - Tai pulled off one of the most epic moves in the 32 season history of Survivor last night. And I guarantee that somewhere, Yau Man stood up and cheered. But when you break this down, it was a likely game-ending move for Tai. On the surface, he comes out smelling like a rose. He has the game's only idol and he has an advantage. The problem is, everyone knows he has both. With Scot out of the game and Kyle no longer a factor, there's a super duper huge glowing target right on Tai's back. Honestly, I could see him going home as soon as next week. He's not at the bottom of the list because he can still win the game. In fact, if he gets to the end, he's probably a shoe-in to win the game. I just think his chances of making a Final Tribal are so incredibly small that they're almost non-existent.

7) Joe - And that leaves Joe. Joe is just a non-factor this season. Great guy. Amazing guy. But a non-factor nonetheless. He just tends to the fire and waits to be told who to vote for. There was a time when he was part of the decision making, but his blind loyalty and unbending nature make him little more than a vote in Aubry's pocket right now. He's not a threat to win immunity and he's not a threat for a sudden jump to blindside someone. He's a serious threat (almost a lock) for the final four. He may even make the Final Tribal - but he has done nothing in this game to justify a spot there or an eventual win. Again, love me some Joe, but not as a Survivor player. Not this season.

And there you have it, kids, the Power Rankings for week 11 of Survivor: Kaoh Rong. Would love to hear your thoughts...hit me up on the Tweet Box: @vannestjc. And be sure to come back later this week for the Episode 11 recap! 'Til then, take care!