People surprise you.  Think back to season 6 of Big Brother.  Before the season begins, let's say you're given a photo of Janelle Pierzina.  You read her mini-bio.  There is absolutely no way you could have predicted that Janelle would become a force to be reckoned with inside the Big Brother house.  Same with Dick and Daniele Donato.  It seems that, when house guests enter the Big Brother house, they become one of two types of people – real strategists or people who are just along for the ride.  These final eight people in my arbitrary power rankings struck me as true game players.  I'm certainly wrong on some of them, but I think at least a couple of these eight house guests will surprise us with their intelligence and guile.

Big Brother 9: Arbitrary Pre-Season Power Rankings, 16-9

#8 - Chelsia, 21, college student from Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Oh, Chelsia.  I can see you know.  The daft, happy, willing crazy girl.  I see Big Brother: After Dark nudity in Chelsia's future.  I think she's going to be one of those non-bitchy, slightly dim young ladies who everyone likes despite their better judgment.  Her CBS pre-interview portrayed her as someone willing to mix it up, and I think eventually this may spark a movement to eliminate her from the game. 


#7 - Sharon, 23, realtor from Olathe, Kansas. 

I'm putting Sharon here because I assume she'll be in an alliance with Chelsia and, when she leaves, Sharon will basically give up.  Sharon seems like a likable tomboy, but I assume I'm wrong on this.  Anyone who can call themselves a realtor at the young age of 23 has something going for them and with Sharon, I think she's going to play the game hard.  Perhaps a little too hard. 


#6 - Joshuah, 25, advertising media buyer from Dallas, Texas. 

Joshuah, once Neil is eliminated, will be left on his own little island.  I see floating in his future, and this seems like the right time for him to be eliminated.  Like the two house guests before him, Joshuah seems eminently likable, but when the game gets to the end, the different alliances are always wary of unworthy floaters.


#5 - Ryan, 27, college student from Columbus, Ohio.

I think Ryan is going to be a bad boy.  He's going to shake things up, but he's going to be smart about it.  However, after so many weeks in the same house, such scheming will get both old and found out.  Ryan could turn into a big fan favorite and I already want to inexplicably root for him.  Myself, being younger than Ryan and not in school, am jealous of his college student status. 
 

#4 - Alex, 24, DJ company owner from Staten Island, New York.

I don't know what DJ company owner means.  Does he employ disc jockeys?  Does he own a company that manufactures turn tables?  Does he personally create awesome wedding party playlists?  I like any young entrepreneurs, so I'm going to give Alex the benefit of the doubt, despite his annoying faux-hawk.


#3 - Amanda, 23, paralegal from Fridley, Minnesota.

Amanda seems like a very smart lady.  She will be liked by all and it's going to be assumed fairly early on that she would win a final jury vote pretty easily.  That is why she will be kicked off before the final vote.  These last two can't afford to go against her in the end.


#2 - Adam, 29, public relations manager from Del Ray Beach, Florida.

The oldest man in the house is going to be the voice of reason.  He seems like a very normal dude, and he's going to use his senior status to become the de facto leader of the house.  However, he's also going to be sneaky and will display an ability to talk his way out of any situation.  He will be deserving of his spot in the final two, but will have accrued too much ill will to win the final vote.


#1 - Natalie, 28, bikini barista from Salem, Oregon.

Natalie is the new Janelle.  She's a religious girl who works as a bikini barista.  Quite paradoxical indeed.  Natalie will be an incredible challenge player and will be liked by all.  She's going to have a legion of fans among male viewers as well – just look at her.  It's going to be a surprise win by a seeming underdog, but she'll deserve it.


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(image Courtesy of CBS)