Alabama, Michigan, Georgia and Cincinnati Make College Football Playoff

The semifinal games are scheduled for New Year’s Eve, with the national championship planned for Jan. 10 in Indianapolis.

You again, Alabama? It’s been how long, Michigan? Good to see you, Georgia. This way to orientation, Cincinnati.

The College Football Playoff on Sunday announced those four schools — representing three conferences, 31 claimed national championships and plenty of hopes, hypes and expletives — as the field that would vie for this season’s title.

Left out without meaningful dispute: Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma, among the bluest of blue bloods but programs that will be elsewhere on Jan. 10, when the championship game will be played in Indianapolis.