2017 ACM Awards predictions

Winner: Forever Country

This is the kind of stuff that awards shows love. The medley itself was put together by the CMAs, and features 30 country stars. There's really no other choice here, unless the ACMs feel awkward about honoring a song that the CMAs created.

Winner: Shane McAnally

This award is Shane's to lose, at least judging by the year he's had. He was behind some of the year's most acclaimed hits including "Different for Girls," "John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16," and Miranda Lambert's "Vice," not to mention the fact that he penned two songs on Maren Morris's "Hero."

Winner: Vice

It's arguable whether or not "Vice" was the best country song of 2016, but it is, by far, the best country video of the year. If any other video wins, it would be a massive upset (it'd also be highway robbery).

Winner: Little Big Town

This past year was big for country music's rising stars, but it was actually a relatively slow year for some of the groups on this list. Little Big Town, however, had a huge 2016, releasing the Pharrell-produced "Wanderlust," their seventh studio album.

Winner: Dan + Shay

Look for an upset in this category. I'd imagine that this award will go to Dan + Shay, an exciting, young country duo as a sort of passing-of-the-torch from the Big & Rich era to the new wave of country music.

Winner: Chris Stapleton

Odd that Sturgill Simpson wasn't nominated, but I'll let it slide. Chris Stapleton had a huge 2016, and though he might not be as well-known as the rest of the names in this category he deserves top honors.

Winner: Maren Morris

Honestly, this is Lambert's award to lose, but it would be equally stunning if they didn't recognize the fact that, for all intents and purposes, Maren Morris was the de-facto country vocalist of the year. She had two songs in 2016 that were uber-massive hits in "80s Mercedes" and "My Church," and though Lambert is the favorite, in all honesty, she probably shouldn't be.

Winner: HERO

This would be a big upset, but Maren Morris really does deserve the award. "The Weight of These Wings" is a great album, and "Vice" is a jam, but Hero is simply stronger from front to back.

Winner: Vice

Bet against Miranda Lambert at your own risk. Though it'd be great to see an upset by Maren Morris, Vice is the prohibitive favorite here.

Winner: Kill A Word

And finally, Eric Church shows up. He's been massively overlooked in the nominations, and it would be absolutely crazy if he goes home from the ACM awards without honors. "Kill A Word" is a great, anthemic song for the world we live in today, and deserves song of the year honors.

Winner: Jason Aldean

Wait, what? Where is Eric Church? Where is Maren Morris? Excuse me? Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood didn't even release albums this past year! If I had to pick, I guess I'll go with Aldean, but in a just world, Eric Church would win hands down.