As the Colorado Buffaloes prepare for their upcoming season opener, head coach Deion Sanders has once again found himself in the spotlight.

This time, Sanders took issue with comments made by ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum. In a discussion with Grete Griffin, who is the wife of Robert Griffin III and co-host of the podcast “Outta Pocket with RGIII,” Sanders responded to Finebaum’s earlier statements that Colorado football “is nothing” and “irrelevant in the grand scheme of college football.”

“He’s talking about us,” Sanders stated during Tuesday’s episode. “If we’re so irrelevant, why are you discussing me? Every time I look around, someone is sending me a quote where you’re mentioning me.”

<p.Sanders’ comments led Grete Griffin to humorously suggest that Finebaum was a fan of Sanders.

“You see, a fan only gets excited when you’re doing well so I guess we must be doing well,” Sanders responded.

Sanders further insinuated that Finebaum discusses him to remain relevant in the industry.

“I see what he’s up to, and I respect him for recognizing that times are changing in sports communication,” Sanders shared. “He’s a dying breed. To keep his relevance, he needs to talk about the ‘big bad wolf’—me.”

Finebaum was quick to react to Sanders’ remarks during a recent segment of ESPN’s “First Take,” dismissing them as “irrelevant.”

He also criticized Sanders regarding his program’s treatment of the media. According to The Denver Post, Colorado’s football program recently announced it would stop addressing inquiries from columnist Sean Keeler, citing a history of “sustained, personal attacks.”

“He did state something I agree with,” Finebaum commented on Sanders’ critique. “Being called a ‘dying breed’ in the profession is something I’m proud of, as I believe in giving the media the respect it deserves and not engaging in selective targeting, which he has implemented not only against this Denver reporter but others too.”

The Buffaloes are set to kick off their 2024 season on Thursday against North Dakota State at 8 p.m. ET.