Alabama, Michigan State players thankful to avoid tornado

(Photo: AP)DALLAS — It says something about Alabama's challenges with recent weather that Tide center Ryan Kelly, when asked Sunday how the tornado affected his team, responded, "Which one?"

A tornado hit Alabama the day before the Crimson Tide flew to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl, and one hit Dallas a few hours after the Tide arrived.

At least 11 people were killed in the storm that hit the Dallas area early Saturday evening, including eight reported in Garland, northeast of downtown.

Both teams were northwest of Dallas at the time of the tornado. Michigan was returning to its hotel in Grapevine at the time of the tornado. Alabama was en route to AT&T Cowboys Stadium from its practice at…