Orange Bowl edge

Dalvin Cook gets home field advantage.

Fourteen players on the Florida State roster and seven on the Michigan roster will get to enjoy their season finale close to home.

But the Orange Bowl matchup will mean a lot more to one player in particular.

FSU star running back Dalvin Cook, a former Carol City optimist and Miami Central High School standout, will have a chance to end his college career in front of family and friends when the No. 11 Seminoles (9-3) face the No. 6 Wolverines (10-2) on Dec. 30 in Miami Gardens’ Hard Rock Stadium.

Cook’s mother, Varondria Burnett, believes “it’s destiny.”

Burnett said she was “screaming” with excitement after her sister called to share the news about FSU earning the Orange Bowl berth. Now, she’s fielding constant phone calls about family members excited to buy tickets for the game.

“We’re so, so honored for him to play at the Orange bowl,” Burnett said. “It’s amazing.”

Cook, a junior who could likely be a first round pick in the 2017 NFL draft, has until Jan. 16 to decide if he will forgo his senior season with the Seminoles and become a professional football player.

Whether the contest is Cook’s last game wearing a Florida State uniform remains to be seen.

“I don’t know if it’s his final game,” said Betty Cook, Dalvin Cook’s grandmother. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

He plans to make an announcement after the bowl game.

“He doesn’t talk much about entering the draft or anything like that,” Burnett said. “Dalvin is a team player. He doesn’t want any distractions to come to the team. That will be a distraction.

“He wants to finish out for the seniors. He does everything for the seniors.”

Added Betty Cook: “After every game, he tells the media how much he loves his team. Those are his brothers. He loves those guys.”

Dalvin Cook has the chance to place the bow on a stellar career at FSU, where he became the first player in state and ACC history to rush for 4,000 yards in three seasons.

Cook broke Warrick Dunn’s FSU career rushing yards record and Greg Allen’s FSU career rushing touchdowns record this season.

Despite the records and helping the Seminoles earn a New Year’s Six bowl game berth with victories in six of their past seven games, Cook has been snubbed on the national award circuit.

Cook was not named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and lost the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s premier running back, this week.

“It motivates him, but it doesn’t bother him,” Betty Cook said of her grandson. “All it does is motivate Dalvin.”

Dalvin Cook will get to play his third career college game at Hard Rock Stadium, where he has gained 319 total yards with three touchdowns against the hometown Miami Hurricanes.

Jimbo Fisher said the game will be a great reward for Cook, who will face a stiff challenge against Michigan’s second-ranked defense.

“I think it’s a blessing that his family can be in their hometown to watch him play a major bowl game and possibly his final game for Florida State,” Fisher said. “Again, you’re talking about one of the all-time greats in Florida State history and in college football history. He’s a dynamic player.”

Cook’s mother says the family plans on having a huge tailgate before the game to celebrate the occasion.

It will be a day to rejoice Cook’s achievements at the college level.

“It’s just going to be a lot of love that day,” Burnett said. “Definitely.”

JOE ROBBINS/GETTY IMAGES Dalvin Cook, second from left, broke Warrick Dunn’s FSU career rushing yards record and Greg Allen’s FSU career rushing touchdowns record this season.

MARK WALLHEISER/AP FILE Dalvin Cook, at right, became the first player in state and ACC history to rush for 4,000 yards in three seasons.