Well , if the states can choose their tributes , Texas and California would have pretty good shots at winning . Bigger populations mean more people to choose from , that provides a HUGE advantage . This also means that states with smaller populations would be at a disadvantage . If the selection is random , states with bigger rural populations and farm populations would stand a better chance . Rural kids would have more knowledge of surviving out in the wilderness , and a farm kid would have physical fitness on his side . Now , one might think that Texas would have a great shot because of its rural population , but actually , Texas has a pretty low p e r c e n t a g e m o s turbanizedstatesinamerica of rural population compared to other states , so in a randomized pick , Texas might not have a great shot . Granted , gun culture and sports culture are still pretty prominent in many Texas urban and suburban areas , so that may provide an advantage over states that don ' t have those things .