For the first time this season, our coaching rankings — at least the Top 5 — features an all-West look. Kentucky’s Mark Stoops dropped out after a loss to Mississippi State, though the Wildcats played well in defeat and need one more win to reach bowl eligibility.

Mark Richt could hop back in with a win over Florida this weekend, further strengthening Georgia’s grip on the Eastern Division.

Ranking coaches based on their 2014 seasons to date, here’s a quick glance:

5. HUGH FREEZE, OLE MISS: One of several rapid rising coaches on Florida’s wishlist, Freeze drops three spots to No. 5 after a late-game snafu led to Ole Miss’ first loss of the season last weekend in Death Valley. Bo Wallace’s interception at the goal line wasn’t the play call according to Freeze, but it happened and the coach ought to shoulder the blame. The Rebels are in great position however despite the loss and have the easiest road remaining in comparison to the West’s other three contenders. Saturday’s game against Auburn is likely a Playoff elimination game and the Freeze vs. Malzahn matchup’s a great one.

4. GUS MALZAHN, AUBURN: The Tigers’ early-season win at Kansas State — still the Wildcats’ only loss — had major implications on Tuesday’s first College Football Playoff poll as Auburn, one of three one-loss teams in the West, was placed in the No. 3 spot by the selection committee. Auburn’s beaten two ranked teams this season and its loss came on the road at now No. 1 Mississippi State. Malzahn’s resume speaks for itself and he improved to 13-0 at home as coach after last weekend’s shootout win over South Carolina.

3. LES MILES, LSU: Perhaps college football’s hottest team, the Tigers have won three straight games in the SEC since their ‘look at yourself in the mirror’ moment at Auburn the first weekend in October. After a signature win against Ole Miss, Miles’ team gets an extra week to prep for Alabama, a potential Playoff contender if the Crimson Tide win out (regardless of division finish). Miles has done a fantastic job turning this team around and it started in the the fourth quarter at Florida. Something clicked for these youth-laden Tigers in Gainesville and their last two outings have been impressive.

2. NICK SABAN, ALABAMA: Without question, the Crimson Tide’s in the Playoff if they win out considering three of those four wins would be against the likes of LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn. Alabama’s in prime position at No. 6 in the CFP rankings with the toughest schedule remaining, an element that the committee looks at with heavy emphasis. Since a one-point win over Arkansas, Saban and Lane Kiffin have turned it up a notch offensively, making it a point to get Heisman candidate Amari Cooper as many targets as possible. And he’s done the rest.

1. DAN MULLEN, MISSISSIPPI STATE: Despite Kentucky’s valiant upset bid, the Bulldogs held off the Wildcats to stay unbeaten last time out, proving Mullen’s ability to have his team prepared despite playing its first game ever as a top-ranked target. The spotlight’s on Mississippi State the rest of the way as the Playoff favorite, but the road’s not easy. The Bulldogs still have games in Tuscaloosa and Oxford. Almost everything Mullen has called has worked this season, but he’ll lose some of that newfound luster with failures against upcoming elites.