Miranda Lambert is the top nominee heading into the upcoming CMA Awards with a whopping total of nine nominations, including the big one -- entertainer of the year.

Every year, it seems to be a question of which female will land in the category usually stacked with male artists. For the longest time, it seemed we only saw Taylor Swift as the token female taking the crown. Swift was the last female to win, taking it back in 2011, with her first win happening in 2009. Before her, the Dixie Chicks were the last bit of girl power strong enough to beat the boys in 2000.

Now it's Lambert's turn to represent the ladies in the night's most coveted category. She's the only female nominated this year, going head-to-head with country's hottest men. Why is that? Well, these are the questions I personally cannot answer. I'm just happy she snagged the nod.

She's got the album sales, she's got the smash singles, she's got the tour numbers, she's got the hearts of fans and she has the respect of the country music industry on all sides. So could this be the year she takes it for the girls?

It could happen, but the competition is strong. Luke Bryan, who bested Lambert earlier this year in the ACM's entertainer of the year race, is also up for the CMA's top honor in November.

Also nominated is Lambert's recent duet partner, Keith Urban, another beloved hitmaker with a proven track record. And, honestly, everyone adores him. Even Lambert herself would probably celebrate if he took home the trophy.

The same for Lambert's hubby Blake Shelton, who's also nominated this year. He took home the award in 2012. In a solid relationship of "what's yours is mine," if he were to pull out a win in the category this year, wouldn't that kind of be like a win for Lambert, as well?

But let's face it, Lambert, Bryan, Urban and Shelton would probably give the award to the final nominee -- the incomparable George Strait. Who wouldn't? He's the King of Country and Lambert's longtime friend, supporter, and mentor. A potential loss to George Strait is not a loss. Heck, a nomination in the same category with Strait would be considered a win by anybody in country music.

So technically, Lambert is already a winner in my book, whether she officially wins the title of entertainer of the year or not. It's hard to be a girl in a man's world. And Lambert is rockin' the girl power all the way to the top.