Well, I certainly hope that no one dies, that would be very upsetting. I know the cast number is high this year, but that doesn't mean that it's impossible to handle all the characters. Sure it may take some effort to balance the screentime, but it's not an impossible thing to do. There is no time to be lazy, hard work is required.
I don't want any of the newbies to go either, Walter and Jesse have formed a great bond with Ryan, and that's something special for me to watch. It's been a while since Ryan's had friends who doesn't look on him with suspicion or subconsciously trying to compare him to Speed. Walter and Jesse like Ryan for who he is and they don't expect him to be anyone but himself. I love seeing my Three Musketeers together! They are a treat to enjoy!!!!
I'm still looking forward to see how they would end Jesse's wife's murder storyline from a few episodes ago. And what I heard was that the guest actor who played the main suspect was going to be around for a recurring status in the future, so hopefully that means Jesse will live on and take a part in season 9. It would be rather unfair for him to be kicked to the curb after the cast issues this year.
Overall, I just hope for a fun and exciting finale!
I do wish that Horatio would "fall" too, he's been super-H for so long surviving everything without a scratch, isn't this a good time to remind the characters and the viewers that H isn't the all invincible robot that everyone thinks he is? We've seen Grissom and Mac fall prey to injury over the years on their respective shows, but never Horatio, I would think that seeing the unshakable leader of the Miami "fall" would add a different dimension to the storylines.