Alabama has reached the College Football Playoff in each of its first two seasons, but can the Crimson Tide make it to the third?

Michigan State fought its way out of a very competitive Big Ten, pulling out nail-biters over Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa.

Oklahoma reeled off seven straight wins after its suspect loss to Texas in the Red River Rivalry to claim the No. 4 spot.

Clemson ran the table and entered undefeated before being taken down by the Tide in the national title game.

Our staff debates which of those teams is most likely to make the long journey back.

WHICH TEAM IS MOST LIKELY TO RETURN TO THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF IN 2016?

Chris Wright (@filmroomeditor): Clemson

As long as Deshaun Watson stays healthy, the Tigers have the best player in the country, and that’s always a good place to start. Watson should have won the Heisman this year. He’ll enter 2016 as the man to beat, and as he showed against Alabama, he doesn’t lose many foot races. Clemson also returns Wayne Gallman, Mackensie Alexander, etc. Legitimate NFL talents. And by virtue of playing in the ACC, its path to a Final Four will almost always be easier than any SEC team’s.

Christopher Smith (@csmithSDS): Clemson

The team loses several talented members of its secondary as well as Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd. But Deshaun Watson and almost all the skill players return. Plus, outside of Florida State, there aren’t any ACC teams that will be able to challenge the Tigers during the course of an entire season. Oklahoma also has a great chance with Baker Mayfield coming back. Alabama is a perpetual contender with coach Nick Saban. Out of the four teams, only Michigan State should fall off in a significant way. Ohio State and Michigan are the Big Ten favorites, but the Spartans can’t be discounted.

Tom Brew (@tombrewsports): None

I’m going to step out on a limb here and say NONE! Let’s eliminate them from the bottom. I think Michigan State is at best the fourth-best team in the Big Ten next year, so they’re not back. I’m a Florida State guy, and I have to go into the season thinking that the Seminoles will beat Clemson in Tallahassee and claim the ACC. I am on record this week for saying I think Ole Miss and Tennessee will play in the 2016 SEC Championship Game next year because I think Alabama is just losing too many pieces. That leaves me with Oklahoma, and they’ve got two things going against them. I like Baylor better next year in the Big 12 and I think there’s a slim chance that the Pac-12 winner gets left out two years in a row. So next year, I’ll take Ohio State, Ole Miss, Florida State and Stanford for the playoffs.

Talal Elmasry (@TalalElmasrySDS): None

I’m with Tom. I think there’s a more likely chance that none of those teams will make it back. Consider that Michigan State is competing with two of the best head coaches in the country in Ohio State and Michigan. Oklahoma has a brutal schedule next season, traveling to Houston to play the Cougars in the season-opener while hosting Ohio State and traveling to TCU … and that’s only through Week 5! Alabama won’t be hurt as badly as some will make it seem. It’ll reload and field a fantastic team, but the Tide still plays in the toughest division in the whole country. Clemson travels to Auburn in Week 1, and it’ll also be on the road to face Florida State. It’s tempting to pick Deshaun Watson and Co. because it has enough respect from the CFP committee to be able to afford one loss next season, but I’d still put my money on none.