NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Vanderbilt Commodores are about to find out how much their challenging start to this season really helped them out.

After a schedule ranked the third-toughest in the Football Bowl Subdivision, the Commodores head into the final half of this season with no teams currently in the Top 25. They have six games needing four wins to become bowl eligible for the second straight season, something this program never has done before.

The Commodores host a team Saturday even more desperate for victory in the Auburn Tigers (1-5, 0-4 Southeastern Conference).

Vanderbilt coach James Franklin says the Tigers are a dangerous team and his Commodores (2-4, 1-3) have to be ready since they're still growing as a program.