Please see the last post for a Friday afternoon Dolphins report.

Talking UM-FSU, and Giancarlo Stanton:

### Remember that metaphorical fence around South Florida that former UM coach Howard Schnellenberger spoke of building? FSU’s Jimbo Fisher very much enjoys trampling it.

That’s why Fisher, preparing for Saturday’s game against Miami and emboldened by this dominant run of Seminoles football, stood in front of hundreds of supporters in Coral Gables six months ago and said: “This area to me is critical. We are always going to get these kids.”

Let’s be clear: UM has beaten FSU and other top schools for several elite local recruits: Duke Johnson, Stacy Coley, Chad Thomas, among others.

But UM coaches privately have been frustrated by FSU’s ability to snag several elite Dade/Broward/Palm Beach players that UM coveted over the past four years: Kelvin Benjamin, Devonta Freeman, Nick O’Leary, Rashad Greene, Lamarcus Joyner, Matthew Thomas, Dalvin Cook and Ermon Lane, among others.

Fisher, in a private moment this past offseason, insisted he draws no extra satisfaction from beating UM for top South Florida recruits but believes he’s winning some of these battles against UM because “we’ve got a good product on the field, and the players we have from down here are graduating and being drafted in the NFL. There's a history here.” (UM can say the same.)

But unlike UM in the past decade, “we're winning championships: second-winningest team in college football over past four years,” Fisher said. “And Tallahassee is one of the great atmospheres in college football. You absolutely have to win those battles [with UM for South Florida prospects] because you're going to be playing against Miami. It's one of the great rivalries in college football.”

Tyrek Cole, a Miramar safety and West Virginia commit who orally committed to FSU before the Seminoles dropped him in September, asserted UM is at a disadvantage against FSU in recruiting not only because of on-field performance recently, but also because of game atmosphere and FSU’s indoor practice facility.

FSU visits Saturday with 29 players from South Florida, including blue-chippers Lane and Cook from this past year’s class.

And the Seminoles already have oral commitments from two four-star-or-higher 2015 South Florida recruits: American Heritage five-star cornerback Tarvarus McFadden, who UM wanted, and Hallandale linebacker Sh’Mar Kilby-Lane, a four-star Army All-American who UM reportedly didn’t offer.

UM, conversely, has no five-star commitments from South Florida in the 2015 class but does have three four-star commitments (all were offered by FSU): Killian safety Jaquan Johnson, St. Thomas Aquinas running back Jordan Scarlett and Booker T. Washington running back Mark Walton, who has officially reclassified from the 2016 to 2015 class.

Meanwhile, UM and FSU are battling for several undecided high-end local recruits. Among them: Central four-star receiver Da’Vante Phillips, who said FSU remains his preference even though UM sends him messages every day; Westminster Christian four-star running back/safety Tim Irvin (considering UM, FSU and others) and Booker T. Washington four-star safety DaVante Davis (UM, FSU, UF and Alabama among his top suitors).

Numerous out-of-town players are expected to attend Saturday’s game, including California-based five-star teammates Rasheem Green (rivals.com’s No. 3 defensive end) and John Houston (rivals.com’s No. 2 outside linebacker).

This game takes on even more importance for UM from a recruiting standpoint because according to UM, recruits are allowed to attend only one UM game this season on official or unofficial visits because of NCAA sanctions. Many are doing so for the FSU game.

Walton --- who hasn’t ruled out Georgia and West Virginia --- told rivals.com that his commitment to UM will be “more solid” if UM wins Saturday, and three-star New York based defensive end Austrian Robinson --- offered by UM --- said a Miami win “would make me see the program differently.” Miami Central coach Roland Smith, whose three-star safety Calvin Brewton is orally committed to FSU, said a UM win would show recruits that Miami “is back.”

CHATTER

### UM people privately blame the cloud of the NCAA investigation for losing Thomas, the five-star Booker T. Washington linebacker, to FSU, in 2013. It hasn’t been a big loss so far. Suspended for the first six games of the season, Thomas has 10 tackles in three games. But UM has been hurt by other local defensive players signing elsewhere. Among them:

Ohio State sophomore defensive lineman Joey Bosa, who has 10 sacks this season, never seriously considered Miami out of St. Thomas Aquianas. In the weeks after he replaced Randy Shannon, Golden couldn’t convince elite former Plantation and Ohio State first-team All-American linebacker Ryan Shazier to flip. A UM person insists Miami didn’t get former Louisville/Norland star linebacker Keith Brown because he insisted Miami also take one of his teammates.

UM never offered four-star University School linebacker Skai Moore, now a standout at South Carolina. UM never offered Boyd Anderson three-star receiver Eddie Jackson, now a starting cornerback for Alabama. And LSU freshman defensive tackle Travonte Valentine (Hialeah Champagnat) picked LSU because he preferred LSU’s 4-3 scheme and felt there was too much pressure to play right away at UM.

### FSU on Thursday landed an oral commitment from five-star 2016 California quarterback Malik Henry. UM previously picked up a commitment from three-star Jack Allison of Palmetto, Fla., rated the nation’s No. 12 pro-style quarterback in the 2016 class. He has offers from Alabama and others.

### An involved FSU Trustee said the school this week investigated and found no evidence to support an allegation, reported by IBN Sports, that Jameis Winston was involved in a point shaving scheme to help his former high-school teammate, University of Alabama-Birmingham defensive end Chris Rabb, win a $5000 bet. Rabb allegedly placed a bet for Louisville to be winning at halftime of the Louisville-FSU game Oct. 30. Winston played poorly in the first half, which ended with FSU trailing 21-7. FSU won, 42-31.

The FSU Trustee said FSU determined the Alabama-based bookie who raised suspicions about Winston was a “buffoon” with questionable credibility. TMZ reports the NCAA is investigating.

### UM has credentialed 16 NFL scouts and more than 300 media members for Saturday…. Brad Kaaya, who needs 243 yards to surpass Bernie Kosar’s UM freshman passing yards record for a season, “is a special QB,” Kosar said, “and it’s an honor to watch him break and set my UM record.”

STANTON NOTE

The Marlins, as of yesterday evening, were optimistic they would be able to finalize a longterm deal with Giancarlo Stanton.

Though Stanton and his agent declined comment, CBS' Jon Heyman reports the sides have agreed on a 13-year, $325 million deal with an opt out (unclear when but presumably at least five years into the contract) and a no-trade clause, but that language needs to be finalized.

Without a new contract, Stanton wouldn't be eligible for free agency until after 2016.

Twitter: @flasportsbuzz... And again, please see the last post for Dolphins news.