While most Big 12 observers are keeping an eye on the matchup between Texas A&M and Nebraska for conference supremacy, there’s a little series going on this weekend in Lawrence, Kan., that should create just as many memorable moments.

The Tigers and Jayhawks meet in a three-game set this weekend in a baseball rivalry that’s been as hotly contested as any in the schools’ Border Showdown.

"I think KU-MU in any sport’s an incredible rivalry - something I think our players look forward to every year," Kansas Coach Ritch Price said. "Certainly the most intense rivalry I’ve ever been involved in in my coaching career."

Tempers boiled over at the 2006 Big 12 Tournament when Tigers arch-nemesis Ryne Price, the coach’s son, lowered his shoulder into Missouri third baseman Brock Bond while rounding the bases after a home run. Bond tackled Price, and both dugouts emptied.

But the teams have seen some hard-fought battles on the diamond, as well. Though Kansas has won five of the past eight games in the series, no game has been won by more than three runs. Four of the games have been decided by one run.

Two seasons ago at Hoglund Ballpark, Missouri left-hander Nathan Culp shut out the Jayhawks in a Friday night victory before Kansas won the final two games to take the series.

Last season on Simmons Field, Kansas rallied with a two-run ninth-inning home run to win the Friday night game before Evan Frey responded with a five-RBI game to lead the Tigers on Saturday.

On Sunday, Kansas battled back from an 8-0 deficit and took the lead on Ryne Price’s ninth-inning home run. Frey again answered, hitting a home run in the bottom of the ninth for a Tigers’ win.

"It’s a big rivalry weekend for us. People who aren’t familiar with Missouri-Kansas probably don’t appreciate it, but it’s as big a rivalry as there is," MU Coach Tim Jamieson said. "It certainly adds to the excitement, and I know our guys are looking forward to going to Lawrence and playing this weekend."

Ryne Price is probably looking forward to it, too. The senior has five home runs in his last five games against the Tigers, including a blast in an April 29 victory in front of 3,800 fans at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

That win sparked the Jayhawks to four straight wins, including a sweep of Oklahoma last weekend.

Missouri ace Aaron Crow will try to set the tone for the weekend when he starts tonight’s game.

Crow has won in 10 of his 11 starts this season, already just one behind the Tigers’ team record, last set by Culp in 2006. In 76 innings, Crow, who turned down Kansas to sign at Missouri. has struck out a Big 12-leading 92 batters while walking just 24. Batters are hitting just .234 against him.

"We’ve got a huge challenge in front of us with Aaron Crow pitching Friday night," Price said.

● LONG SHOT: Missouri is ranked 15th in the nation, but Jamieson doubts MU will be one of the 16 teams that host an NCAA regional. The Tigers hosted for the first time last year.

According to Boydsworld.com, Missouri’s RPI is 46.

"Realistically, that’s not going to happen," Jamieson said of hosting. "We’ve got to win every game probably for that to happen or at least go 6-0 in the conference games. Even then, that’s no guarantee."

Jamieson told the players before the series at Texas A&M two weeks ago that they should quit thinking about the big picture.

"Let’s forget about the rankings," he said. "Let’s forget about winning the Big 12. Let’s forget about hosting. Let’s just start getting after it day by day and stop worrying about the other stuff."

● SCHERZER SIGHTING: Jamieson got a close look at former Tiger Max Scherzer’s first major league start with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday, thanks to an inside connection.

MU senior associate athletic director Whit Babcock used to work at West Virginia. Ken Kendrick, the Diamondbacks’ managing general partner, is a West Virginia alum and a prominent WVU booster. That meant choice tickets.

Scherzer gave up five runs in four innings and took the loss in the Phillies’ 11-4 victory, but it was still a big night.

"We had seats three rows from the on-deck circle," Jamieson said. "When Max got taken out of the game, one of the owners said, ‘Do you want to go down to the clubhouse?’ Max didn’t know we were even there, so we went down to the clubhouse and he was icing his arm, so we got to talk to him during the game. It was a really neat night for him, and, selfishly, for me a little bit, too."

Jamieson made it back into to town at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, just in time to get ready for a 4 p.m. game against Creighton.

● TEAM AMERICA: Sophomore pitcher Kyle Gibson and sophomore outfielder Aaron Senne have accepted invitations to try out for the 2008 National Team.

Yesterday, USA Baseball announced that its initial 12 invitees have accepted invitations. Thirty-two players will be invited to the tryouts with 22 making the team, which will travel to the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.

Scherzer and outfielder Hunter Mense played for the 2005 National Team.

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