by David McAlpine

One of the most talked about topics at CBS' 10-year Survivor anniversary party was the cast of the 20th season, Heroes vs. Villains and, of course, who was going to take home the big prize. I got the chance to talk to several Survivors, old and new, past and present to get their take on who they think will walk home with the million dollar prize.

Sandra Diaz-Twine, winner of Pearl Islands, was a popular name. Marquesas winner Vecepia Towery and Gabon contestant Crystal Cox were both avid supporters of her, amongst others.

"Sandra is very interesting because she's not under the radar, but she's more in the background," fellow Pearl Islands contestant Trish Dunn said. "She has a strategy and a lot of hutzpah. On Pearl Islands, she was always going to get voted off, always going to get voted off, but there there was someone that became more imprint that was going to get voted off, and she'd get put on the backburner for the next round. I wouldn't be surprised if that happened this time, too."

Another popular name was last season's ubervillain, Russel Hantz. Still reeling from his explosive game in Survivor: Samoa, many Survivors thought he was the one to watch.

"I love Russell!" Australian Outback contestant Kimmi Kappenberg said. "Not just because I live in Houston and so does he, but I thought he played the game better than anyone that I had ever seen."

Another veteran contestant, Sue Hawk (Borneo and All Stars), disagreed, saying that Russell didn't have the tact to pull off the endgame.

"He thought he had the million dollars in the bag," Sue said. "He should have been apologizing, not rubbing salt in people's wounds. You're supposed to be selling yourself, there's three of you now, so they have a choice! Why would you ever mouth off to all of them?"

Exile Island contestant Bobby Mason said he thought stronger personalities, like Russell's, were going to be a detriment to their game.

"If any of them are real players, they'll be able to tone it down a little," Bobby said. "I think people are going to be treated by their rep--people are going to be voted out or kept in based on their reputations. I think the Villains are going to get wiped out and people like Sandra and Rupert, who are well-liked or good at staying under the radar will go far.

"There are so many people in this season who obviously can't win, they're just cannon fodder for the game. Their personalities are too big and they're too volatile to last. I'd go for Rupert, Sandra or JT."

Micronesia contestant Erik Reichenbach said he wanted a Hero to win, but he predicted a Villain would take the grand prize.

"I would love for a Hero to win the whole thing," Erik said. "But I think the Villains will win because this game is meant for people who lie, who cheat and who steal."

Fellow superfan and this season's RealityWanted guest writer Ashley Trainer (Samoa) also picked Rupert.

"I love Rupert!" Ashley said. "He's always been my favorite. Seeing him get on was really exciting, so I hope he makes it far."

Other Heroes got recognition, too, including Australian Outback runner-up and All Star contestant Colby Donaldson.

"If Colby can get to the end, that'd be cool," fellow All Star Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien (Marquesas) said. "When you're in the final 5, you have to get lethal or you'll get totally mauled. Or, you have to be totally quiet and observe. I think Colby's got it in him to get close, I think he learned from All Stars."

"Colby was really a champion in season two," Palau contestant Wanda Shirk said. "He lost the million dollars because he had the integrity to go against someone tough, so he has my admiration. I'm really excited to watch him play again."

However, Vanuatu and Micronesia contestant Eliza Orlins said Colby's move at the end of Survivor: Australian Outback didn't merit him being called a hero.

"I guess he gave up a million dollars for Tina," Eliza said. "But that was dumb, not heroic."

Eliza's choice to win instead? Surprisingly, her enemy during Survivor: Micronesia: Parvati.

"She's charismatic and charming and smart," Eliza said. "She's not really a villain, it's funny that she's even on the Villains because she's one of the only winners that donated all of her money to charity and spends her time founding charities, whereas someone like Colby Donaldson is considered a hero and he was, what, on 'Red Eye'?"

Another Hero whose name was mentioned was Palau winner Tom Westman. Fellow Palau contestant Coby Archa said he thought Tom had the ability to win the game if he played his cards right.

"I'm all for Tom and Stephenie, we went to war together," Coby said. "I might not have liked them on my tribe, but we went through the same battle, so I respect them. If Tom can forget he's Tom for a minute, then people will forget about him, then he'll get to the end and dominate."

Who are you rooting for to win the 20th season? Tune in to CBS on Thursdays at 8/7c to watch the drama unfold on the newest installment of Survivor, Heroes vs. Villains!

Keep Up On All The Survivor Heroes VS Villains Action On The New RealityWanted Survivor Heroes vs. Villains FanPage

(Photo courtesy of CBS)

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