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6) Amy & Maya (Friends/PhD Students). Team Candy Crush (or #SweetScientists as they named themselves despite the tried and true rule that you can't give yourself a nickname) didn't get a whole lot of screen time but Amy showed on the Roadblock that they should and will be mental competitors. But given this season's overabundance of strong teams, the candy scientists need to hope that this season is equal parts brain and brawn.

7) Dennis & Isabelle (Dating). The generic #TheDatingCouple got only a clip or more in the premiere than the Team Candy Crush, so I'm solely basing my ranking on limited info and assumptions. There was nothing shown in the premiere for this couple that could be interpreted as "the team to beat.” Technically, all the teams stand between the others and the million dollar finish line. Middle of the pack edit gets you a middle of the pack ranking. Like I have said for seasons, please prove me wrong.

8) Shelley & Nici (Mother/Daughter). From what we saw in Episode 1, this parent/child team will not be setting the Race world on fire. They are definitely not giving off the vibe that they will duplicate the success of David & Connor, so another parent/child winner will have to wait for future seasons. I am prepared to be dazzled this week but equally prepared to be right that this team is just not true competition.

9) Michael & Scott (Friends). Team Office Fire was the victim of run-by pen thievery and lost a little bit of time en route to the Roadblock and previous task in St. Thomas. Plus, their bulky muscular size was misjudged by the blond sisters who “knew” they could outrun the hefty firefighters. The guys may surprise me, but it will take a much better showing than what Scott displayed when digging for treasure. Plus, they were easily convinced to take a time penalty. Now they are starting the next leg well behind the other teams, except...

10) Keith & Whitney (Engaged). #TeamNashville is more like “Team Survivor(?)” to me. First, like the firefighters, they were easily coerced into taking a sizable time penalty by the sisters. Second, Keith doesn't appear to have the fire and enthusiasm for the Amazing Race, which is sad because I know I would (please cast me and Randy Powledge for Season 27). The lackadaisical attitude isn't going to do them any favors. Third, they are starting more than four hours after the others. I think this week's ending has been telegraphed and either the firefighters or Survivors are leaving this week. This would make them more like Survivor's Ethan & Jenna than Rob & Amber.

Thankfully, the one team that I would've pegged to grate on my nerves with how they played the game (a la flirt and be retreads of country singers Jen & Caroline) were eliminated first. That gives me hope for the season for rooting for prospects, but any of these teams could turn heel (another wrestling phrase for you) quickly.

Let's see if that happens this week in Episode 2.

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