I think :

Winner : David Cook
Runner Up : Carly Smithson
3rd : David Archuleta
4th : Brooke White
5th : Jason Castro
6th : Micheal Lee Johns (although I think 4th,5th and 6th could all swap positions either way)
7th : Ramiele Malubay
8th : Kristy Lee Cook
9th : Syesha Mercado



What do you think?

It's really hard to be sure, they're all so good this year, but I think you're right; Cook is going to win it, but I've this funny feeling it's going to be an all-guy final (which is annoying because I personally want to see either Brook or Kristy going all the way).

Cook v (Archuleta or Johns)

4th : Brooke White
5th : Kristy Lee Cook
6th : Carly Smithson
7th : Jason Castro
8th : Syesha Mercado
9th : Ramiele Malubay

Hard to say, but top three probably David Archuleta, David Cook and Michael Johns. Brooke might just sneak in there somewhere too!

1. David C
2. Michael
3. David A
4. Brooke
5. Carly
6. Ramiele
7. Kristy
8. Jason
9. Syesha

the producers seem to be giving the most advantageous edits/songs/etc to

David A
David C
Brooke
Carly

Even when they get a tough week, it makes sense...if David A didn't have a tough week while weaker contestants like Ramiel and Kristy are still there to insure he stays in by being voted off, people would get bored.This way, his next mor ballad will seem more impressive compared to this past week. Carly is due to have a great performance, probably next week when there will only be one really weak singer left.She will really start to get good songs two weeks from now.So far, it has all been about her 'likeable' banter more than her singing.

Syesha has a chance, but I dont think she will make it past top 5.She could go sooner, I hope not.

There will usually be a few Kristys and Jasons in to make sure the chosen make the top ten. They are gone by the top 5, and one or two good singers who don't have conventional marketability go along the way as well for suposed shock value. The votes are manipulated this way. You don't vote for the best of a lot of amazing performers, you vote for the obviously better or more interesting few out of the average pool of performers the show puts in the final group for voting.

Every year I notice how stronger singers/performers were sent home before the voting started, and still more get bad edits before the top ten.
All the same, I understand why it is done the way it is. All of the top ten will bennefit, the top 4 get maximum exposure, and that will be the 2 Davids, Brooke, and Carly.

I tend to agree with this.
As much as I would like David Cook to win, I don't think that it is going to happen because he is not mainstream enough. David A only needs one or two good performances at the right time and he will melt the nation's hearts.
I also agree with your conspiracy theories, and that Carly is wanted at the top.
There is the possibility that Jason wakes up and makes the top 4. Michael, I am not sure, he hasn't shown a lot character so far, but he has a nice voice.

As for this week elimination, I would like Ramiele to go but she has a large fan base, and Kristy should be in her comfort zone, so I think that Syesha will go.

So my predictions are

David A
David C
Carly /Brooke
Jason/Michael
Ramiele
Kristy
Syesha


But I would like

David C

Brooke
Jason (if he wakes up)
Carly
Michael
David A
Syesha
Kristy
Ramiele

Winner : David Cook
Runner Up : David Archuleta
3rd : Brooke White
4th : Carly Smithson
5th : Jason Castro
6th : Micheal Johns
7th : Ramiele Malubay
8th : Kristy Lee Cook
9th : Syesha Mercado

As I said before, conspiracy theories? always makes me think...It's a reality show, not Area51
Conspiracy isn't what it's about, that's just how these shows operate.
All the same, I enjoy the performances, and though I think some of the contestants are only there to make sure certain others get maximim weeks of exposure, the contestants do not annoy me. It is the way these shows sometimes don't give everyone a fair shot, and the behind-the-scenes manipulation that annoys me. I wish all the singers the best, and they would not be there, including the weaker performers of the top ten, if they had no talent at all.

I think its still a bit too early to predict who will win. Theres still a long way to go and it depends who can give one of those great stand out performances like David Cook did last week. At the moment I would guess:-

1st David Cook or David A - I hope David Cook. He has been so consistently good with Hello and BJ as stand-outs so far
3rd Brooke - I think her fanbase will see her through although I don't consider her to be the best girl vocalist
4th Michael if he can get his song choices right
5th Jason - easily interchangeable with Michael though
6th Carly - I don't think she has a big fanbase like Brooke has even though I think her voice is better than Brooke's
7th Kristy - After country week I think she may struggle again
8th Syesha - A very good voice but again not a strong fanbase

9..Syesha
8th..Kristy
7th..Jason C
6TH Ramiele
5th..Carly
4th..Michael
3rd..Brooke

runner up..David C, though he should win, i feel it will be David A who will do so

9th Syesha
8th Ramiele
7th Jason
6th Kristy
5th Michael
4th Carly
3rd Archie
2nd Brooke
1st Cook.

1st David Archuleta
2nd David Cook
3rd Michael Johns
4th Brooke White

Now the rest could be in any order but here's what I'll go with

5th Syesha Mercado
6th Kristy Lee Cook
7th Jason Castro
8th Carly Smithson
9th Ramiel Malubay

I think..

1st - David A or David C (hopefully Archuleta)

3. Carly
3. Michael
4. Brooke


Then the others could go out in any order.

1. David Cook
2. Brooke White
3. David Archuleta
4. Michael Johns
5. Carly Smithson
6. Ramiele Maluby
7.Jason Castro
8.Kristy Lee Cooke
9.Syesha Mercado