Is there a hotter team in Big 12 Conference baseball than the Kansas Jayhawks? After this weekend’s series victory against the Texas Longhorns, the Jayhawks are 8-12 in the conference and have won nine of their last 11.

The Jayhawks showed the nation this weekend that there’s a new team to consider when mentioning the strong teams in the conference.

More importantly, the Jayhawks have won their past two series in the conference and are playing the type of baseball needed to be successful in this conference.

The victory this weekend aided their goal to qualify for the Big 12 Tournament.

With two conference series left to go, the Jayhawks are red hot.

Texas is a top-10 team, and though the Jayhawks’ powerful bats have led the way all year, it was pitching during the weekend that helped Kansas top Texas.

Sophomore Sean Land was spectacular on Friday, as he went five innings and gave up just one earned run.

The team’s pitching and defense have been problems this season, but in the first two games of the series, the pitching was phenomenal as Kansas allowed just three runs in two games.

Coach Ritch Price’s decision to bring in Sunday starter Kodiak Quick on Friday night in relief was a great decision.

It was clear that Price simply wanted to get a victory on Friday, and with the team’s best pitcher on the mound, it gave him a great opportunity to defeat a strong Texas team. Quick pitched two perfect innings. Price’s risky decision paid off, and Quick still pitched yesterday.

Despite being routed yesterday afternoon, the Jayhawks should still look at this weekend as the highlight of the season and probably the highlight of Price’s tenure here at Kansas.

Never, in his three seasons at Kansas, has the team had such a big weekend.

These guys can play with anyone in the country, and if they continue to be as hot as they are right now, they could make significant damage in the Big 12 Tournament.

This weekend has made qualifying for the Big 12 tournament much more likely; the expectations are certainly much higher now.

If this team stumbles down the stretch — and after this weekend’s performance that appears unlikely — it would be a huge disappointment.

The Jayhawks need to stay focused, as they will play the Missouri Tigers next weekend, and Mizzou has had a great season thus far.

Texas is not the same team that is was a year ago, when it finished second in the College World Series.

But the exposure that this weekend brought to Hoglund Ballpark will have much bigger ramifications.

Having people from throughout the country watch the games and see the amazing performance that the Jayhawks put on this week was wonderful, and it should do wonders for Price as he recruits not only in Kansas but throughout the country.

In addition to the new scoreboard, an indoor batting facility is nearing completion.

These series victories will help Price get the facilities he needs to compete with warmer weather teams in the conference.

The confidence boost from this weekend should help the Jayhawks keep their winning ways. If the pitching staff is able to keep up its strong performance the hitting will take care of itself.

Price has done a terrific job with this club and has kept them focused all season. Even when the Jayhawks were struggling in their first few conference series.

Price was still able to keep the team going in the right direction. Now the team is winning when it needs the victories most.