Evan Bates is still recovering from an injury. It caused S&B to miss the entire fall season. At the time, the early medical report left their appearance at Nationals very much in doubt.
Consequently, the frontrunners for the 2 worlds' spots are Shibutanis and C&Z, both of whom won 2 bronze medals, and were the first and second alternates for the GPF.
Most likely fourth place team IMO would be Krienkrairut/Giuletti-Schmitt, who had a decent international outing at Nebelhorn. The Hubbells are a big question mark.
Of the group you listed, Tibbetts and Brubaker showed the least promise for a good finish at nationals. on the GP. The Hubbells completely botched the SD at Cup of China (which had the most packed fields of any event this year). They withdrew from Cup of Russia with an injury to Kieffer's back. It's unclear what shape they will be in for Nationals. It is barely possible that Cannuscio and Lorello will pass them for 5th or 6th at US Nationals, depending on whether S&B are able to compete. C&L had a dreadful outing at Cup of China, but surprised by skating a really good short dance at TEB. Granted, TEB had a very weak field, but C&L had level 4 in both the GW segments, level 4 twizzles, and level 3 steps and lift. They got crap PCS scores from reputation, but it was a very decent performance. Particularly notable were their twizzles that surprised some of the judges into giving them a 2 GOE (rare for a team expected to be in last place). They do a very convincing jump into the twizzles, and then execute both sets on the same foot without a step between, and do so around the end of the rink on a curve. AFAIR they had entertaining arm movements with them too. Of course, they completely bombed in the FD. However, I see some promise there, especially if they change coaches next year. If their FD improves as much as their SD, I could see them passing the Hubbells at Nationals.
