ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The break last week couldn't have come at a better time for Vanderbilt quarterback Chris Nickson.

He was able to rest his sore right (throwing) shoulder, which he injured in the Commodores' 23-17 win over Ole Miss. Nickson said his separated shoulder was similar to the injury that plagued him last season, but that this one wasn't nearly as bad.

"It's nothing like it was last year," Nickson said. "Last week was big for me, just to get it feeling better. I feel good, had a good practice (on Monday) and am feeling fresh. Last year, it was just never right after I hurt it. I haven't come close to reaching that point this year."

The Commodores will need a healthy Nickson this Saturday, and his ability to both run and pass will be critical if they're going to move the ball on Auburn's defense.

Vanderbilt was held to 225 total yards in its 24-17 win over South Carolina the second week of the season, and that South Carolina defense is now No. 1 in the country in total defense. Nickson thinks Auburn is even better up front defensively than the Gamecocks.

"We'll do the things we've done all year to get us to this point," said Nickson, who's yet to throw an interception. "We've got to take care of the ball, take advantage of all of our scoring chances and be smart. We can't put too much on our defense, either. When we have a chance to make a play, we've got to make it."

Nickson, a fifth-year senior, said the players won't get caught up in the unprecedented hype for this game, whether it's ESPN's College GameDay coming to town or the Commodores having a chance to go to 5-0 for the first time since 1943.

"We know the team we're getting ready to play is no fluke," Nickson said. "Auburn's really good and will be ready to play ... but so will we."