Call it a jinx, call it confidence or call it overestimation.

In the south end zone of Beaver Stadium hung a sign reading, "Mom, send money. I'm going to the Pasadena!"

Obviously, the anonymous mother will be hundreds of dollars richer after Iowa beat Penn State 26-23 on Saturday.

The Nittany Lions' goal was for their final five games was to win each one and earn a bowl game berth. That is no longer an option, but there is one thing left for which to play.

"Pride," linebacker Shamar Finney said. "Definitely pride. Michigan is going to be a pride game.

"So we're going to see how much pride we have in this team."

"Pride," said kicker Ryan Primanti. "No question about it, pride."

"It's a pride thing," tight end John Gilmore said. "We have to keep our heads on straight and focus."

And Penn State has two very big games to put in focus. This week, the Lions travel to Michigan to regain their pride at the formidable Big House. On Nov. 18, Penn State faces Michigan State at Beaver Stadium.

"Throughout this year, we've had to readjust and refocus our goals," Kurpeikis said, "and that's what we're going to do again. We're going to be resilient."

Penn State has already persevered through more than some teams endure over the course of a decade.

In one week, quarterback Rashard Casey was cleared of assault charges and the injured Adam Taliaferro held his first press conference to discuss his improvement.

To top it off, the Lions won the first two of the five games necessary to reach a bowl game. It seemed the months of problems were finally over last week. But Penn State coach Joe Paterno said that could have contributed to Thursday's flat practice and an emotional letdown.

"They've just been so emotional," he said. "I don't think I've ever been around a football team that has been as emotional as this team has been for as long as it has been."

But emotions will have to shift from disappointment to intensity if the Lions have any hopes of beating the Wolverines and the Spartans.

"I came to Penn State to win championships," Primanti said. "That's not going to come true, but at the same time, this team has a lot of pride."

Even if there won't be any students planning trips to Pasadena.