The 42 runs Kansas (11-5) threw down on its NAIA midweek opponents were exactly what the Jayhawks were looking for heading to Fayetteville, Ark., for a three-game series against No. 10 Arkansas (10-5).

True, Kansas got what it wanted, but the 20 or more hits per game wasn’t it.

“It’s not even that — it’s confidence, and giving our other guys confidence with the guys in front of them,” junior third baseman Erik Morrison said about the blowout victories. “It definitely gets us going on the right track heading in there this weekend.”

Today’s 12:35 p.m. matchup marks the first time the pair has opposed each other since both coach Ritch Price and Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn’s first seasons with their programs. It also marks the Jayhawks’ first series against a ranked opponent this season.

Both teams head into the series on the heels of a victory. Fortunately for Kansas, it strolls in on a four-game winning streak, while Arkansas has won just two of its last five.

Winning games they’re supposed to be winning, according to Price, along with an entire week’s worth of getting outside, highlighted the Jayhawks four-game home stand.

Although the team showed confidence and modesty when discussing Tuesday and Wednesday, Kansas outscored its back-to-back opponents Tabor College and Baker University 42-9.

“Regardless of what the score was, I think we’re almost there,” Morrison said. “We got maybe one little step to take, play a good powerhouse this weekend and ride in there with some confidence after these two wins and the two wins over Western Illinois.”

That little step that Morrison mentioned has much to do with this weekend and the Jayhawks’ ability to play the Southeastern Conference powerhouse. Morrison had huge games this week, going 9-16 with two home runs and 10 RBI, but this weekend’s competition will test those numbers.

Junior right-hander Jess Todd (1-1, 2.19) will make his first start as a Razorback this afternoon. In just 12.1 innings this season, Todd has had 21 strikeouts to a mere two walks.

The numbers are there for the Top 10 opponent, but Kansas isn’t budging. The Jayhawks are hitting .315 as a team compared to the Razorbacks .299. On the other side of the ball, Kansas also has the edge with a 2.98 ERA to Arkansas’s 4.36.

“I think people have got some confidence back in them,” Morrison said. “Guys got to pull through some of their struggles and got some game speed before we head out there. I like our chances. If we go down there and play hard, we should be fine.”

Fine if Morrison and crew can keep their bats hot while cooling their opponents. Junior third baseman Casey Coon leads the SEC with 26 RBI in 15 games and leads his teammates with a .389 average at the plate. Unafraid of the numbers or the ranking, the Jayhawks are excited for the challenge.

“Oh yeah, I’m very excited,” sophomore left-hander Andy Marks said about facing such a high-profile opponent. “Actually, their best pitcher, Nick Schmidt, I faced him a lot in high school. I’m really excited about going up against him and beating a Top 25 team.”

Marks (3-1, 4.12), who will start the series finale on Sunday, hit the nail on the head with Schmidt’s description. An All-American last season and a pre-season All-American this season, the junior lefty is 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA this year. He threw a complete game in the Razorbacks’ last time out, a 5-1 victory against Minnesota on Sunday.

Arkansas’ ace won’t get to throw against Marks this trip, as Schmidt is penciled in for Saturday’s game.

Although any weather-related discussions are almost taboo in the world of Kansas baseball, rain is predicted for everyday of the series. But at this point, the Jayhawks take precipitation in stride and focus on the difficult task at hand.

“We were trying to get some confidence and make some progress with the bat each day and get outside each day, take pre-game (batting practice),” Price said. “I think we’ll walk into Arkansas this weekend, one of the greatest places in America, with a little bit of swagger.”

Kansan sportswriter Alissa Bauer can be contacted at abauer@kansan.com.

— Edited by Will McCullough