That's still the case for every season (not putting up two strong players) because at least one will remain and go after you, and it puts both in the veto comp. Sure the BOTB might have made it a
little more intimidating but come on. It's pretty much rare to see otherwise unless literally everyone hates the person (and then it's still usually a back door plan anyway).
The other side of the house just didn't have the right people to stand up to the Bomb Squad / Detonators regardless of the twist. The alliance was the big factor in it being an unfair disadvantage for the others.