Who are favorites for the big CMA Awards tonight? Before he left, I asked Dennis for his picks, which he happily supplied with the caveat that they aren't based on anything but his own gut. His gut is better than mine, so here is a look at what may happen on stage tonight:

SONG OF THE YEAR: Everyone loves a recovering somebody, which makes Keith Urban’s Stupid Boy a strong pick here. But don’t count out Carrie Underwood's Before He Cheats because those who counted her out last year for female vocalist were making funny faces and getting posted on YouTube in a non-flattering way.

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: The Dixie Chicks are nominated after getting snubbed in recent years. Funny how both the Chicks and Toby Keith have fallen out of favor with CMA voters, when they’re on opposite sides of the same feud, huh? Anyway, Rascal Flatts is the flavor of the year; they’ll win this one.

HORIZON AWARD: Go with Rodney Atkins here. Watching You is a throat-choker.

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Brad Paisley has a Hollywood wife and knows his way around the camera. 'Nuff said.

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR: George Strait, Alan Jackson, Jimmy Buffett for Hey Good Lookin’
C’mon. Strait, Jackson AND Buffett? Just getting them together is worth an award. George doesn’t really do incessant hookups with other stars. Really, like, does he have to?

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: King George (Strait) will step aside for Brad Paisley's 5th Gear, as a Paisley train will continue rolling on.

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR: Brooks & Dunn will continue winning this award until they officially retire it.

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Martina McBride is going for a record here, so why not pick her? Carrie Underwood got her award last year (too soon for a certain star’s taste, clearly). Miranda Lambert’s got a lot of spunk, and who doesn’t like her "Hell YEAH!" shout-out? But it’s too early, and she lacks a diverse portfolio (musically, that is … dunno what she’s doing with all of her money). So Martina is the pick here.

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Josh Turner is a first-time nominee and the "just-happy-to-be-here" guy. The others are stiff competition, but it’s Brad Paisley's night.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Thanks to Ticks, great songwriting and very under-appreciated guitar skills, Brad Paisley will take this, too, and make it a night to remember.

Want to check out some other predictions? Here are the best guesses from TV Guide, USA TODAY, The Seattle Times and Country Universe. What do you think of their picks and ours? Who do you think will go home a winner? Let us know in the comments below.

(Martina McBride photo by Rick Diamond/courtesy frontpagepublicity.com)