I watched this season and correct me if I'm wrong as I really don't remember well, but I don't remember the Brigade playing a loose alliance game. I remember Brittany thinking she was tight with one of them, but otherwise don't remember the rest playing closely with others, let alone playing opposite sides of the house. By my recollection they were an obvious tight four. Plus an alliance of four is much easier to manage than alliance of six. I'm impressed with the Cookout.