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Nary & Jamie: Law enforcement team number two. These friends only provide the generic job description as “Federal Agents.” That’s a pretty broad descriptor that could mean they are super cool spies or the same type of paper pushing Federal Agent that crazy Phillip from Survivor was. Anyway, the ladies have already devised a deep cover story for themselves since they don’t plan on telling anyone they are feds. Their ruse will involve telling the other teams that they are teachers to avoid preconceived notions of cops. One thing of note during their interview is that Nary seems to be the dominant person on the team and Jamie was rather awkward and uncomfortable on camera. As long as Jamie lets Nary be the boss, they should finish just outside the top three.

Elliot & Andrew: It’s like déjà vu all over again. Another season…another set of twins. Get it? "Twins"… "déjà vu?" Anyway, this is the first time we have had a team with twins where I can actually tell them apart. We have Elliot, who’s a long-haired musician, and Andrew, who’s a short-haired professional athlete. The fact that they don’t specify what sport Andrew makes a living playing implies it’s not one we would be impressed with. In addition to their divergent tastes in hairstyles, the brothers freely describe Andrew as patient and level-headed and Elliot as hotheaded and impulsive. Whatever those differences are, they agree that they will not play dirty but also won’t go out of their way to be accommodating or helpful. I think this plan to play a very competitive game will propel them to the end.

Rachel & Dave (married): I know it goes against the stats from previous seasons but I can’t help but root for this team to finish at least in second place (but a first place would be great too). He’s an Army veteran, for crying out loud. Rooting against him would be treason, right? Maybe… maybe not. Here we have an Army wife and her combat pilot husband. Dave has recently returned from a tour overseas and he is in the beginning of what he calls the “reintegration process.” They view the race as a chance to regain some time, work together and rely upon one another again. This will show that they can support one another. Confidently, Dave acknowledges that internal challenges are the only things that would be their downfall because they are confident in their physical abilities and racing skills. My first impression of Rachel & Dave is that I already want to root for them and I hope they both don’t turn into raging jerks. But even if they do, I still place them in the top two.

Vanessa & Ralph: Sweet alliteration, Vanessa & Ralph are described as Dating Divorcees. I am pegging this couple to win it all. Even though they have only been dating less than a year, they have known each other for 15 years. So, it’s not like the typical green couples that join this show to test their relationship (even though they both view it as a test… according to Vanessa, the race will result in “moving forward rapidly in [the] relationship or murder.”) They appear to have more self-awareness than most teams because she acknowledges that Ralph, as a trainer, will be the physical threat, and Vanessa, as a political speech writer, will be more of an intellectual threat. They also plan to shun the teamwork/alliance strategy. Vanessa is very straightforward with only a tinge of sarcasm when she say, “Honestly, I don’t give a s* about anyone else. I’m not here to make friends or give people daisies; I am here to win money.” Exactly, folks. It’s a race for one million dollars and not for votes to be named Miss Congeniality.

So, there you have it – how Amazing Race 20 looks to me. So, it’s time to just wait until Sunday, Feb. 19, at 8/7 (EST/CST) to see how right or very, very wrong I am. Here’s to a new season.

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