Men:
1/2: between Evan Lysacek and Patrick Chan. I'm not a fan of Lysacek, and his new programs didn't do much to change that (nor did his costumes!). But he may regroup for SC, especially as I've read he is taking out the quad (was I going crazy when I read that? or is that actually true?). And from what I've heard, fans have not been that wild about Chan's new programs, and there is some concern about his 3A(?).
3: Sergei Voronov; usually behind in the SP, but always "Abbotts" his way up in the LP (couldn't resist, the term fits!). Maybe his PCS will go up this season.
Ladies:
1: Joannie Rochette; I think it'd be a huge boost for her confidence, which is just what she needs IMO. Plus, it'd be great for a wonderful skater to be rewarded at home.
2: Caroline Zhang: with what I've read here on the board she's improved over the summer, and I hope it shows through. I'm hoping to see better jumps, speed and expression.
3: Carolina Kostner: quite possibly my least favorite of the ladies, but the judges love her. She is probably the fastest ladies skater out there today, but my problem with that is she often sacrifices elegance in the upper body for it (and her programs become full of telegraphing, regardless of choreography).
I'd like to see Alissa Czisny for the upset at bronze!
Pairs:
1: Dube/Davison: Obviously I won't know what I think of Carmen until I see it, but I'm having a hard time imagining them skating to it.
2: McLaughlin/Brubaker: They had some trouble with the sbs jumps at SA, so I'll be looking to see if they improve on that. They could pull an upset here though if D/D falter
3: Kawaguchi/Smirnov: I don't know that I can be completely objective when it comes to this team, but I don't usually enjoy them (I see a mismatch). Last I knew she had an injury this summer and I haven't heard anything since. Bast on last years programs, which I didn't like, I think they'll be bronze (although I hope they have improved and gotten better choreography).
Dance: this is where it gets harder...
1/2: Davis/White and Pechalat/Bourzat: Obviously D/W are my favorite, but this lack of news has me really curious. What have they been working on, what have they improved on, who did their choreography, etc? And I'm assuming that no news is good news as far as injury goes (but then we didn't know about Tessa and Charlie has had setbacks with injury before). Then there's P/B, who have stronger basics (although I find both teams are relatively close on this) and are more polished (this was clear last season). And though I think their clowns FD has potential, I can see how it doesn't show of their line and extension, etc. to their advantage. I also think P/B will do better in the Paso Doble, but not by too much.
3/4: Brobrova/Soloviev and Crone/Poirier: I was introduced to both teams last season and was genuinely impressed. I don't know who I'd want to finish higher as I haven't seen enough of either of them, but this is another little battle I am excited to see play out.
stop the hate? I "hate" to tell you people(myself included) predicted her in 1st, you werent the only one 
, but he still can't get his 3-Axel or his 3-lutz right. 
(Though the fact he still managed to place 5th at SA without any of those jumps AND he beat Lysacek on the LP TES is incredible! 
) A silver medal at SC seems a little over-optimistic at this point (if not downright impossible!).
I do wish Shawn all the best. I believe more realistically he'll be in the Top 5, but if your prediction comes true, I'll be that much happier! 
