‘Mad’ dash to the finish?

DRAMA SERIES

“Boardwalk Empire’’

“Dexter’’

“Friday Night Lights’’

“Game of Thrones’’

“The Good Wife’’

“Mad Men’’

Should win: Talk about an embarrassment of riches. “Game of Thrones’’ was an epic revelation, a supernatural series about very human emotions. And the final season of “Friday Night Lights’’ was a touchdown. But “Mad Men’’ was the bright star - a transfixing, dark vision - as Don Draper’s life fell apart.

Will win: The ascending “Boardwalk Empire’’ just might upset, but I’m committing to “Mad Men’’ for its fourth win in a row. It was nominated for a whopping 19 awards, and the season was spellbinding.

Left out: “Shameless,’’ “Treme.’’

ACTOR, DRAMA

Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire’’

Michael C. Hall, “Dexter’’

Kyle Chandler, “Friday Night Lights’’

Hugh Laurie, “House’’

Timothy Olyphant, “Justified’’

Jon Hamm, “Mad Men’’

Should win: They all should own at least one Emmy. Chandler was the beautifully flawed series anchor, and Buscemi is a creepily introspective greedhead haunted by grief. But with Bryan Cranston out of the running this year, Hamm ought to get his first win. He had a devastating peak in the episode “The Suitcase,’’ a long, dark night of the soul that was one of TV’s best moments of the year - hell, of the decade.

Will win: Hamm will get his first statue for his career-high performance.

Left out: Joel Kinnamen, “The Killing,’’ Wendell Pierce, “Treme,’’ and Ray Romano, “Men of a Certain Age.’’

ACTRESS, DRAMA

Connie Britton, “Friday Night Lights’’

Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife’’

Kathy Bates, “Harry’s Law’’

Mireille Enos, “The Killing’’

Mariska Hargitay, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’’

Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men’’

Should win: Margulies is remarkable as the cool heroine, growing more powerful with each new tragedy. Enos is a sorrowful mess as the obsessive detective. And Moss had a perfect duet with Hamm in “The Suitcase.’’ But Britton - she was as mighty as ever during the last season of “FNL,’’ insisting on equal footing with her husband. I’d love to see her win.

Will win: Margulies will get the statue, and the Emmys will be able to give at least one major drama prize to a network contender.

Left out: Khandi Alexander, “Treme.’’

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA

Kelly Macdonald, “Boardwalk Empire’’

Archie Panjabi, “The Good Wife’’

Christine Baranski, “The Good Wife’’

Margo Martindale, “Justified’’

Michelle Forbes, “The Killing’’

Christina Hendricks, “Mad Men’’

Should win: Martindale walked off with the second season of “Justified,’’ as the drug-dealing hillbilly matriarch - sentimental, twisted, and ice cold all at once. I want her to win.

Will win: And I have a feeling she’ll pull it off. Hey, she got the nomination. She’s been doing great work for years now.

Left out: Amy Ryan, “In Treatment.’’

SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA

Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones’’

Josh Charles, “The Good Wife’’

Alan Cumming, “The Good Wife’’

Walton Goggins, “Justified’’

John Slattery, “Mad Men’’

Andre Braugher, “Men of A Certain Age’’

Should win: Dinklage! Goggins was robbed of nominations for “The Shield,’’ and Cumming is both ultra-slick and real. But Dinklage is just too good as Tyrion Lannister, a dwarf who is crude, wily, educated, and sympathetic to fellow outsiders. He’s capable of great pleasure and deep sorrow, after his mother died giving birth to him.

Will win: Dinklage will carry the day, just as he carries the series.

Left out: William H. Macy, “Shameless,’’ Michael Pitt, “Boardwalk Empire,’’ Derek Phillips, “Friday Night Lights,’’ and Irrfan Khan, “In Treatment.’’

COMEDY SERIES

“The Big Bang Theory’’

“Glee’’

“Modern Family’’

“The Office’’

“Parks and Recreation’’

“30 Rock’’

Should win: “Parks and Recreation’’ had a consistently funny season, as the cast jelled. But “Modern Family’’ was so likable and, at its best, hysterical. But “Parks and Recreation’’ was a rare pairing of spoofery and heart. But “Modern Family’’ really catches the way today’s extended families work. But “Parks and Recreation’’ had Li’l Sebastian. But. . .

Will win: “Modern Family’’ is a smart crowd-pleaser that ushers the family comedy into more adult territory. It will win its second prize.

Left out: “Bored to Death,’’ “Community,’’ “Raising Hope,’’ and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.’’

ACTOR, COMEDY

Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory’’ -

Johnny Galecki, “The Big Bang Theory’’

Matt LeBlanc, “Episodes’’

Louie C.K., “Louie’’

Steve Carell, “The Office’’

Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock’’

Should win: C.K. has been willing to bare his soul in one of TV’s most honest comedic performances. He delivers middle age in all its flab, insecurity, and wisdom.

Will win: In a sentimental gesture, the Emmys will want to honor Carell for his last season on “The Office.’’

Left out: Jason Schwartzman, “Bored to Death.’’

ACTRESS, COMEDY

Laura Linney, “The Big C’’

Melissa McCarthy, “Mike & Molly’’

Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie’’

Amy Poehler, “Parks and Recreation’’

Martha Plimpton, “Raising Hope’’

Tina Fey, “30 Rock’’

Should win: Plimpton grounds her show with earthy insanity, but I love the way Poehler has developed Leslie Knope. She quietly leads the rich ensemble around her, by turns ridiculous, sympathetic, and noble.

Will win: This is becoming the Showtime slot - Toni Collette in ’09 and Falco last year. The Showtime performances are as dramatic as they are funny, but they are undeniably potent. Linney’s the sure bet as a woman with cancer; she rocks the role, even when the writing is wanting. Plus, the Emmys are suckers for Movie Actresses.

Left out: All present and accounted for.

SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY

Chris Colfer, “Glee’’

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, “Modern Family’’

Ed O’Neill, “Modern Family’’

Eric Stonestreet, “Modern Family’’

Ty Burrell, “Modern Family’’

Jon Cryer, “Two and a Half Men’’

Should win: Burrell has taken a cliche - the awkward dad trying to be cool - and given it new life. His timing is awesome. Stonestreet had his moment last year, and deservedly so, and the terrific Colfer is poorly served by the “Glee’’ writers; now it’s Burrell’s turn.

Will win: I’ve got a feeling that guilt for never nominating sitcom stalwart O’Neill is going to swing the vote in his favor.

Left out: Nick Offerman, “Parks and Recreation,’’ and Ted Danson, “Bored to Death.’’

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY

Jane Lynch, “Glee’’

Betty White, “Hot in Cleveland’’

Julie Bowen, “Modern Family’’

Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family’’

Kristen Wiig, “Saturday Night Live’’

Jane Krakowski, “30 Rock’’

Should win: Lynch is saddled with an impossible script that has made Sue Sylvester into a nonsensical mess. And my favorite, Wiig, had a weak season on “SNL.’’ Vergara’s performance veers dangerously into accent-as-joke territory, and yet I always look forward to her story lines. I hope she wins.

Will win: I’m thinking White will take the day, and not because she can drop an elderly sex joke like no one’s business. She’s a beloved icon, end of story.

Left out: Merritt Wever, “Nurse Jackie,’’ and Aubrey Plaza, “Parks and Recreation.’’

Matthew Gilbert can be reached at gilbert@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewGilbert.