by Todd Betzold

What can I say...I have no idea how I am going to write my American Idol predictions today. Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez gave it their all last night and it is so close, I have no clue on who will win or who should win, but alas, I must make a prediction! Let's be real for a second...by making the Top 2 on Idol they are both winners already...one will be crowned the winner of Season 11 of American Idol and the other will be a cast member of The Celebrity Apprentice in 10 years...win-win, right?

First of all, how can they jam three songs by each contestant and a performance by Jason Derulo into an hour show, but tonight they have one thing to do...announce the winner and yet, they are stretching that out into this two-hour extravaganza....ugh, Idol you make my blood pressure rise at times!

Let's talk performances from last night...first up, Phillip. He put on a nice little concert last night and I thoroughly enjoyed it. He takes songs we all know and love and puts his Phillip Phillips twist on them and makes us love the song even more. Some may call him boring, but he is true to who he is and I think he could do very well in the music industry. His Billy Joel song I have never heard before this show...would I like the original? I don't know, but I do know that I love Phillip's version of it...he digs deep for this song and it's just fun and different. His winning song seems angled at him being crowned the winner and using it as the eliminated contestant song next year...."Home" is the title and it was alright...I didn't get blown away by it, but the judges loved it and a standing ovation for him. For Jessica, she did nothing but show America that she has a beautiful voice and deserves to win this thing. When someone can take on a Whitney Houston song (more than one time throughout the season) and hold her own, then that is a victory all on its own. The girl has taken on some powerhouses this season and shined every time. "The Prayer" was downright amazing...so simple, but so beautiful. It showed off her vocal abilities and range, which for a 16-year-old is amazing. Her winning song I enjoyed...it was something I could hear on the radio right now, so of course the judges had to hate it. They wanted more Jessica in the song and she agreed.

So, who do I think will win? I, honestly, will be happy to see either of them win...they are both deserving of the title. Like Jennifer said last night, they are on different sides of the spectrum. Phillip is unique and different and has his own style, which is enjoyable....Jessica is a powerhouse with range that goes on for days and fits that diva role. Phillip is cute and has won over the tween voters out there that were texting and calling and Facebooking their votes for four straight hours. Jessica has a big following herself and I think a lot of people are pulling for a girl to stop the guys from winning for the fifth season in a row. As the Top 13 have dwindled down, I think the votes of the eliminated contestants have gone in every direction...we are down to Jessica and Phillip and I am leaning towards a Jessica victory. I don't think anyone will be shocked when either name is announced as the winner, but I think that name announced will be Jessica Sanchez. I think she needs it more than Phillip though...he will go on and have a successful career doing his thing, but I think she needs the title and fame more to boost her career. So, your winner of American Idol Season 11 will be Jessica Sanchez!

Do you agree with me? Who do you think will win and why? Tell us in the comments please!

Find out if I am correct with my predictions when American Idol airs tonight at 8/7c on FOX.

(Image courtesy of FOX)

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