(S09E15) With the elimination of Victoria last week, it was suddenly two teams of two versus three teams of one. Looking at those numbers, if those teams of two united, the solo acts would be in trouble. Seven contestants left. It doesn't matter if you're best friends in the whole wide world. When you're this close to the end, you play the game.

That's exactly what the contestants started doing this week, in a way more transparent than we've seen all season. Unfortunately, in that same week they had to leave the comfort of routine at the 'Biggest Loser' ranch and head for the dude ranches of Texas. Alison Sweeney informed us that five of the fattest cities in America are in Texas, which means they need some motivation.

In honor of those five cities, that motivation comes in the form of a 5k run the contestants will be doing with groups of Texans rallied through the radio. Get through that, corral some calves and get ready for a weigh-in where the temperature is only 34 degrees. Everything's ... colder in Texas?

Not to take away anything from their individual efforts, but both Ashley and Michael have Daris to thank for motivating them with his stair exercise. Perhaps more importantly even than the workout, it helped the three of them solidify as a unit strategically. With the gray and yellow teams looking tighter than ever, this was the first week they revealed to us at home that their plan was to eliminate pink, orange and white.

It makes sense, and they have the numbers to do it, so long as they can beat the scale. This was the week that all three of the singles left in the game really needed to stay above that yellow line to ensure their safety in the game. Otherwise, they'd start getting picked off one by one. If they can break up yellow or gray, they have a better chance in the next few weeks.

There were a lot of heartwarming stories with the local citizens during that 5k walk. It wasn't a challenge, so much as an opportunity for the contestants to inspire others with their stories. At the time of filming, it was clear that the season had already started airing, though I'm not sure how far in we were. It sounded as if Sunshine and O'Neal had already returned to the ranch, which puts it about ten weeks ago now.

I'm sure the physical transformation for the locals upon seeing these seven in person versus what they saw on television was just remarkable. How did they keep from having the final seven leaked, though? Did everyone have to sign confidentiality agreements to not spill the beans as to who was left? I noticed that this wasn't a public event, even though they were in the streets. I guess people aren't as fanatical about finding out things like this on 'The Biggest Loser,' or maybe I'm just not paying close enough attention to the spoilers out there.

Spoiler alert, though if you're this far in you knew what you were getting into: I know many of you have expressed dislike for the yellow team, so this must have been a good week for you. For them, it was an absolutely terrible week. O'Neal's brother died, so they missed the last chance workout for the funeral. Then, they both fell below the yellow line.

Thank god Koli had immunity, as he dropped only one pound. It was a little surprising that he admitted in front of Bob and Jillian that he took it a little easy this week. I would think they'd eat that up and spit it in his face by kicking him up one side of the gym and down the other. But I guess they know there are gameplay elements and strategies in play; particularly in this late game.

The biggest shock of the night came from Michael. Yes, he's still as big as many starting contestants, but fifteen pounds! It's an astonishing accomplishment. I really can't wait to see what these guys look like in the finale, because the side-by-side shots we see now are so astonishing. Ashley has a figure, Daris and Sam look practically done, Sunshine is looking close, and Koli is closing in on what Sam's been looking like for weeks. I'm still surprised each week that Sam and Daris can still find weight to lose.

In the end, it was a no-brainer. Everyone in the house loves and respects O'Neal, and of course he's going to sacrifice himself for his daughter. Alison didn't even update him on how many votes he had during the elimination. I'm sure it was across the board, and O'Neal (the last of the elder generation) went home. The question now is if it will be three-on-three strategically, or if alliances will shake up in the house.

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