Dan Mullen makes six Week 4 picks, including 3 surprising upsets

One of the biggest weekends of the young college football season is upon us, and ESPN’s Dan Mullen is getting in on the action.

Some gigantic showdowns will adorn our televisions in Week 4, and the former Florida Gators and Mississippi State Bulldogs leader is choosing his sides. On Friday, Mullen made six predictions for Saturday’s slate, including three huge upsets.

Here’s who the former SEC coach turned ESPN analyst is riding with this weekend, as College Football Playoff hopes hang in the balance for many squads.

Dan Mullen’s Week 4 Picks:

• No. 14 Oregon State Beavers (-3) over No. 21 Washington State Cougars
• No. 15 Ole Miss Rebels (+7) over No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide
• No. 17 North Carolina Tar Heels (-7.5) over Pittsburgh Panthers
• No. 24 Iowa Hawkeyes (+14.5) over No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions
• No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes (-3) over No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
• No. 19 Colorado Buffaloes (+21) over No. 10 Oregon Ducks

While Mullen didn’t specify if he meant Ole Miss, Iowa and Colorado will outright defeat their opponents, there’s something to be said regarding him riding with the three underdogs, regardless. As for Oregon State, North Carolina and Ohio State, it’s obvious Mullen expects them to win, as they’re favored in their aforementioned showdowns.

First off, the Beavers have been climbing up the AP Top 25 Poll, due to their impressive performances in 2023. With former Clemson Tigers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei leading their offense, Oregon State has become an underrated player in the Pac-12, even with their 2024 uncertain.

Next, Lane Kiffin will have Ole Miss roaring and ready to rock against Alabama, as Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide look for a return to form in Tuscaloosa. Evidently, Mullen believes it’ll be at least within a touchdown for the Rebels, but whether they pull the upset or not remains to be seen.

Elsewhere, Mullen has both North Carolina and Ohio State moving forward undefeated, covering against some formidable opponents in Pittsburgh and Notre Dame, respectively. Many believe this could be Marcus Freeman’s opportunity to let the college football world know he’s officially arrived on the scene, but the ESPN analyst isn’t a big believer in the Fighting Irish, it seems.

Finally, the biggest question in college football is whether Deion Sanders and Colorado can go into Oregon and leave victorious. Mullen believes it won’t be a blowout at the least, and that the Buffaloes can keep it within three scores against the Ducks.