THE NAUGHTY ONES
CHAD OCHOCINCO & CHERYL BURKE
Why They May Win
NFL pros (think Emmitt Smith) have traditionally done well on the dance floor. So how are Ocho's chances? "Every day he improves," says Burke.
Behind the Scenes
The flirty star of the Cincinnati Bengals, 32, is cozying up to his competitors (he called Kate Gosselin "beautiful") and his partner. "We enjoy hanging around together," says Burke, 25. "I've never laughed so hard."
THE SECRET THREAT
SHANNEN DOHERTY & MARK BALLAS
Why They May Win
The reputed bad girl, 38, may have met her match in Ballas, a two-time DWTS champ. "You wouldn't want to mess with her," Ballas, 23, says. "But she's very trusting."
Behind the Scenes
Ballas says he'll resort to drugging Doherty: "She gets so nervous she breaks out in hives," Ballas says. "Before the show, I'm going to stick her with a heavy dose of Benadryl."
THE FRONT-RUNNERS
NICOLE SCHERZINGER & DEREK HOUGH
Why They May Win
The Pussycat Dolls' frontwoman "is very musical," says fellow singer Hough, 24. "But she's really goofy, which is not her onstage persona."
Behind the Scenes
Her performing past does not give Scherzinger, 31, an unfair advantage, Hough insists: "Everything she knew about dance went out the window when I taught her."
THE SEX SYMBOLS
ERIN ANDREWS & MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY
Why They May Win
During her four years dancing with the University of Florida Dazzlers, Andrews, 31, picked up some serious moves: "She can do the work. She's a perfectionist," boasts her partner.
Behind the Scenes
Chmerkovskiy, 30, has coyly suggested that the pair are "maybe" dating. "Everyone who meets Erin falls in love with her," he adds.
THE DYNAMIC DUO
EVAN LYSACEK & ANNA TREBUNSKAYA
Why They May Win
It's pretty clear that Lysacek, 24, who took Olympic gold for men's figure skating in Vancouver, can perform under pressure. There's just one problem. "He's always trained by himself," says Trebunskaya, 29. "He's still getting used to another body moving with him."
Behind the Scenes
Whether on the dance floor or the ice, Lysacek is facing the same fear, according to his partner: "He's just worried about falling down!"
Dancing with the Stars Divas & Drama
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