IDOL LIVE predix: Group 3 of Top 36

The consesus about last night is that there are two very much all-but-confirmed spots reserved for big names, and a free-for-all for the third spot in which a good seven contenders have at least a slim shot of landing the position of next highest vote-getter, with at least three that stand a very good chance of advancing.

Overall, Group 3 showed that when you get a couple weeks to watch and learn from others that sing for their lives, preparedness certainly plays dividends. It also helps to be very talented, which many of last nights contestants are.

Read my predictions below.

Surprising or not, these will be the latest Top 12 members:

>Lil Rounds
>Scott MacIntyre
>Ju'Not Joyner

Lil is a given. She has been guaranteed a spot in the Top 4 since she auditioned, so this was nothing but a cake walk. In fact, the judges should have given someone else the pimp spot just because it was pure overkill having Lil close out the night to a thunderous chorus of positive critiques. She was great and all, but she still has a ways to go to get positive comments, so the judges might as well hold off until she starts delivering consistently.

Scott is another given. He hasn't been a sure thing all season like Lil, but his great personality coupled with his good vocals (oh yea, and the fact that he's blind) is like a big apple pie with whipped cream on top for the regular voting bloc of this show. Scott was not the best male singer last night, but he was far from the worst. Look for him to go fairly far inside the Top 12.

Unlike the first two spots, the third and final Top 12 space as (allegedly) decided by America is extremely difficult to pinpoint. Many people would tell you who they want to go through, but they are not really thinking about who will go through when all factors are taken into consideration. Jorge Nunez seems like a good fit, but just because he lost his accent and Paula and Kara wanted to squeeze him last night does not mean he will get through, even in the face of a great, surprising performance.

Felicia Barton is also a favorite to take the third slot, but she will have to wait for Thursday for news that she made it into the Top 12. The producers want America to get an extra glance at her for them to decide whether or not they actually like her, since the judges obviously like her and she has received virtually no air time up until now. Nathaniel Marshall and Kristen McNamara are good guesses as well, but just as they started together in Hollywood Week, they will finish together outside the Top 12.

So that leaves Ju'Not, who was on top of his game when he slowed down "Hey There Delilah" and made it an entirely different song. More shots of his son during his pre-performance package and an awkward joke about getting a shot for his asthma will all combine in a perfect storm of happiness for Ju'Not, which will sort of come as a surprise to most of the audience after thinking Jorge will be the third choice of the night. If they really want to maximize suspense tonight, the producers will have Felicia, Ju'Not and Jorge stand together at the end of the show and read the results with all of them vying for the spot, but most likely they will save Lil's obvious victory for last. Thanks for keeping it interesting.

Of course, I reserve the right to be wrong on the third spot. Not the first two, though. Those are 100% guaranteed or you can ask for a refund. Right now I am 4-6 after last week's predictions so a clean sweep tonight would be much appreciated.