STATE COLLEGE, Pa., June 1, 1999 -- Penn State's existence in the Big Ten Conference may be brief, but its rivalries with traditional conference football powers Ohio State and Michigan have quickly become among the most heated of any in the nation.

When the Buckeyes and Wolverines invade Beaver Stadium this fall, both contests will be nationally televised by ABC Sports at 12 p.m. ET.

Ohio State, which was 11-1 and finished No. 2 in the national polls last season, comes to Happy Valley on October 16. Michigan, which earned 10-3 record and was No. 12 in the polls last year, visits State College on November 13 in Penn State's final home game of the season. Penn State leads the series with Ohio State, 8-6, with the Buckeyes posting a 28-9 win in Columbus last fall. The last two clashes between the border rivals in Beaver Stadium have produced tight contests, a 31-27 PSU victory in 1997 and a 28-25 OSU win in '95. The series with Michigan is knotted at 3-3 after the Wolverines' 27-0 win in Ann Arbor last season. Michigan has won the last two games between the national powers and the visiting team has won four of the six contests.

The two games give Penn State four announced television appearance for the upcoming season. The Nittany Lions open their challenging '99 slate August 28, hosting Arizona in the Pigskin Classic. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. in Beaver Stadium and ABC will nationally televise. The Wildcats were 12-1 and No. 4 in the polls last season and return 17 starters. On September 18, the Nittany Lions will visit

Miami (Fla.) for a 3:30 p.m. national telecast on CBS. The Hurricanes were 9-3 last season, finishing

No. 20 in the Associated Press poll and No. 21 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches survey, and return 19 starters -- 10 on defense, seven on offense and both specialists. Penn State has appeared on television 55 times in its last 56 games, including all 12 contests in 1998. The Lions made five appearances on ABC last year. Penn State has won 44 of its 55 television appearances over the past five seasons. The Nittany Lions have made 175 appearances on national networks under Coach Joe Paterno and own an overall record of 119-55-1 in those games.

Other Penn State contests may be selected by the networks under the six and 12-day provisions of their contracts with the Big Ten

Penn State posted a 9-3 record last fall, gaining its 23rd Top 15 finish (26th in Top 20) under Paterno, earning the No. 15 ranking in the final USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll and the No. 17 ranking in the Associated Press survey. The Lions lose just five starters and will return 41 of their top 48 players, including punters and kickers, for the 1999 season. Penn State will return eight starters on offense, nine on defense and both specialists, in addition to 11 players with starting experience.