Listen up poolsters, make your Amazing Race picks

Season 28, Episode 2:

Mexico/Colombia – OK,  now that the field in The Amazing Race has been winnowed to 10 it’s time to back a team.

Sorting out the duos isn't easy as just about all of the racers are youthful "social media influencers," comfortable in front of a camera and generally pleased with themselves. There are a few token parents, one already gone from the race.

Marty and Hagan

Following the non-elimination Episode One, the mother-daughter of Marty Cobb and Hagan Parkman bombed out in Episode Two. Why? They committed the most ancient of Amazing Race sins by not keeping a cab handy.

So what of the remaining 10? Who will stay; who will go? Here’s some second impressions, the teams discussed in the order of their finish in Episode Two.

Tyler Oakley and Korey Kuhl. 

Tyler and Korey

Tyler may be better known than Donald Trump, as he has 21.5 million followers across all platforms. I can see why. He’s cheerful, pleasant and hip (to use a word from about two generations back.) His boyfriend Korey has a mere 400,000 followers, but he seems like a nice guy, as well. I say they’ll make the finale.

Brodie Smith and Kurt Gibson:

Brodie and Kurt

They would seem to be the most athletic of the teams as they are Ultimate Frisbee stars. (Yes, I know that’s a niche sport, but I’m impressed by anyone who can throw the discs more than 10 yards). They also may be the most cocky of the teams, and therefore I assume they’ll be eliminated mid-way.

Burnie Burns and Ashley Jenkins:

Burnie and Ashley

They are boyfriend/girlfriend and a little old compared to most of the other racers – he’s 42; she’s 33. They’ve got millions of followers for their online games and films. They remind me a little of last season’s Logan and Chris, a pair that seemed to just be along for the ride. I look to see them go early.

Dana Borriello and Matt Steffanina:

Dana and Matt

Video dancers, they’ve been engaged 3 ½ years. She wants to get married; he’s not ready. She’s fiery; he’s cold; she’s short; he’s tall. They fight. They’ll be fun. I want them to make it to the finale, and they just might.

Erin Robinson and Joslyn Davis:

Erin and Joslyn

They’re best friends and producers and regulars at YouTube’s Clevver TV, where they star in 6 Exotic Nachos From Around the World. I can’t see them surviving more than two more episodes. 

Zach and Rachel King:

Zach and Rachel

They’re the only married couple this season. They make videos in which he seems to perform magic. (She works behind the scenes.) They seem peppy and cheerful and confident. They’ll make the finale.

Brittany Oldehoff and Jessica Versteeg:

Brittany and Jessica

Best friends and professional models, their job, according to Brittany, is to “smile for the camera.” Which they do. Give them a couple weeks before departure.

Sheri and Cole LaBrant:

Sherri and Cole

Mother and son, he’s 19 and a Viner with 7.5 million followers. In the first episode of the Race he said, “I believe in multiple girlfriends; I believe in multiple wives.” I think he was joking, which he does a lot. Don’t bet on them.

Scott and Blair Fowler:

Scott and Blair

A father/daughter team. He’s a doctor and a lawyer; she left home while still a teenager to pursue her social media career. They had a disastrous Episode One, but Phil saved them with a non-elimination. She screams when things go well. Could get irritating. I don’t think they’ll be around that long.

Darius and Cameron Benson:

Darius and Cameron

They’re brothers who have spent far too much time telling viewers how smart they are. As it turned out, they were almost eliminated because they didn’t pay attention. Despite that performance, I think they are good bet to last for a while.

So that’s the cast. Make your picks, starting with Team Bushnell and working forward.

Here’s the order of selection.

Team Bushnell: 

Emily and Drew

Team Walkworth 

Bob and Sandy

Team Beltway

Allison Chanler

Team Boston

Cindy and Jim

Dennis Doell

Team Showers