Coach Prime accuses Paul Finebaum of targeting him for "clicks" after ESPN analyst's recent change of tune

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, aka Coach Prime, has led his team to three consecutive wins after the Buffaloes beat the UCF Knights, 48-21, in a Week 5 road game.

Sanders had faced criticism after his team was comprehensively outclassed, 28-10, by the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Week 2 action.

One of Sanders' greatest critics was ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum, who trashed the Buffs' chances of making a dent in the Big 12 during preseason, although he recently changed his tune and praised Colorado.

During an interview with Romi Bean, the charismatic Coach Prime was forgiving of Finebaum's opinions about him.

“You got to understand what these gentlemen understand. If you mention us, you get clicks. You get known. You get spots all around the country and now you’re known for that guy that’s been hating on us. I mean, you could change it to him (Finebaum) and all that but it was proper," Coach Prime said.

"I understand him. I respect him. I don’t get upset with him because he’s just doing his job and he’s trying to hang on in a world full of people that want attention.”

The controversial Paul Finebaum changed his tune on an appearance on the "Matt Barrie Show," where he praised Deion Sanders and his team.

"Of all the schools that impressed me the most on (Sept. 28), it was Colorado," Finebaum said. "They went someplace I thought would be incredibly difficult and they won in dominating fashion.

"As someone who has been very critical of Deion Sanders, I have to say he has managed this team quite well in spite of all the bullets and all of the attacks and all of the criticisms, some of it coming from me," Finebaum said. "I give him enormous credit ... They're back to being a legitimate story for the first time."

The Coach Prime vs. Paul Finebaum beef runs deep

During an appearance on ESPN's "First Take" before the season started, Paul Finebaum slammed the work that Coach Prime was doing with the Colorado Buffaloes and their chances of making the College Football Playoff.

“Anyone asking whether Deion Sanders and Colorado are close to the playoffs simply doesn’t understand the reality of the road,” Finebaum said. “They’re not going to the playoffs this year, and I’m not sure Deion is ever going to get them to the playoffs, because I don’t think he has the patience to stay at Colorado long enough."

The Buffs' turnaround in form can be attributed to the Deion Sanders project in Colorado, but his two superstars, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter, have a huge hand in it as well.