Mel & Todd: Who's your pick for College Football Playoff champion?

Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay kick off each week of the college football season by settling a debate, looking at emerging NFL prospects and peeking ahead to next week and beyond. Among this week's topics: Who do you have winning two games in the College Football Playoff and bringing home a national title?

Who is your early pick to win the College Football Playoff?

Mel Kiper

First of all, I think the committee got it right. I've said I think Ohio State on their best day can beat anybody, but this isn't about potential, it's about the résumé. Stanford is playing as well as anybody, but again, I'm not sure who you eliminate to put them in. As for my early impressions?

(1) Clemson vs. (4) Oklahoma: The oddsmakers don't live in the past, that's for sure. Oklahoma opens up as the favorite in this one despite ending last season as 40-6 losers to Clemson in the Russell Athletic Bowl. But I think Oklahoma is this year's Ohio State, at least in terms of how the team is improving over the course of the season. The O-line was going to be a work in progress after it lost two tackles to the NFL. Baker Mayfield was going to need to get comfortable. Well, everyone looks comfortable now, and while Clemson has a ton of talent and arguably the MVP of the season in Deshaun Watson, I like Oklahoma in a high-scoring game. Verdict: Oklahoma

(2) Alabama vs. (3) Michigan State: I'm not enamored with the Alabama offense, which can wear you down but rarely scares you, but how much do they need to score in this one? Connor Cook should be healthy, but this Bama defense is allowing 2.4 yards per rush this season, and I'm worried it's going to be a down-and-distance problem all day for Cook. What Ohio State did to Bama last year (not even as close as the score indicates because of Buckeyes' turnovers) is a reminder not to view this through SEC blinders. MSU has plenty of talent. I just think with this much time to prepare, Bama's D will be too much. Verdict: Alabama

National championship: Short and sweet, seeing as this game doesn't exist yet: The Sooners can win this game. Let's not forget they ran Alabama out of the stadium two years ago. But I like Bama in a close one, if this is the matchup. Verdict: Alabama

Todd McShay

(1) Clemson vs. (4) Oklahoma: Clemson's offense is tough to stop. The Tigers have been held below 30 points just once in their past eight games. That's no accident, with their ability to stretch you vertically through the air and pound out yards on the ground with QB Deshaun Watson and RB Wayne Gallman running the zone-read. But Oklahoma's defense has answered the bell this season. Despite playing in the Big 12 with some of the top offenses in the country, the Sooners have surrendered 30-plus points just once over the past two months -- and that was in a win over a high-powered Baylor unit. Oklahoma's ability to control the clock with RB Samaje Perine (6.1 yards per carry) might be the difference in the game. Verdict: Tough call, but I'm taking the Sooners to knock off the Tigers.

(2) Alabama vs. (3) Michigan State: Connor Cook is at his best when he can hit short/intermediate throws, but to beat Alabama, you need to be able to hit the deep ball. After rushing for 174 yards against Iowa to get into the playoffs, the Spartans won't be able to run the ball effectively against the best front seven in college football. Alabama's offense will be challenged because the way to beat Michigan State is to throw down the middle behind the Spartans' inverted safeties -- and that's not the Tide's strength. But expect Alabama's offensive line to open up enough holes for Derrick Henry to put up another marquee performance. Verdict: Alabama in a low-scoring game.

National championship: This would be a blockbuster matchup between two of college football's powerhouse programs. Alabama will make it tough to run -- and RB Derrick Henry will certainly be a factor for the Tide -- but I trust QB Baker Mayfield's ability to extend plays. I think he'll have success against Bama's secondary. Verdict: Oklahoma -- this year's Ohio State.

Prospect on the rise

McShay: Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson Tigers

Gallman put together an impressive performance against North Carolina in the ACC title game (255 total yards and two TDs on 32 touches). The redshirt sophomore runs behind his pads with good vision. He's decisive with his cuts and continues to get better. Despite having an outstanding season (1,332 rushing yards, 10 TDs), Gallman continues to be overlooked for some reason.

Kiper: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson Tigers

I might have him in the top 15 of my Big Board this week. He had two more tackles for loss and is at 22.5 on the season. And he's better than the numbers. It's all there. High energy, instincts -- he's great at finding the ball -- he plays with leverage, disengages well, has a good rip move, has a good spin move. The guy is complete. Easily one of the best pass-rushers, if he's in the draft.

Almost famous

Kiper: Pearce Slater, RT, San Diego State Aztecs

The 6-foot-7, 335-pound right tackle will make you take a week to get around him. He played two years in junior college and has been great for the Aztecs. At his best in run-blocking, he has strong hands, sustains his blocks and will win one and get to the second level ahead of the play. The frame is there, and he could be a Day 3 steal, perhaps in Round 5.

McShay: Greg Ward Jr., QB, Houston Cougars

Houston's dual-threat QB was awesome against Temple in the American title game. His stats, particularly on the ground, were terrific (17 carries, 148 yards, two TDs), but I left Houston most impressed with his toughness and competitiveness. Ward is too quick and agile not to get a look as a return specialist/slot receiver in the NFL.