Totally agree. And your example is kind of perfect in showing that PG and Hoops are both kind of right. We played EWU our first conference game of the season on that stupid red field and lost our QB in the second quarter. With a blow to the head while sliding I'll add..... We barely beat them by 3.
You guys got them the week before the Brawl, basically fighting for your playoff lives after losing 3 of your last 4. And you got them in the toughest place to play in the FCS. So I DO think that homefield matters when comparing games, but to Hoops point, and one I didn't think about much, the time you play common opponents is also important to consider when comparing common opponents. Cats were a much better team when we played the Griz than when we played EWU.
But to your point, this game is all about timing, momentum and matchups so I truly never put too much stock into the common opponent thing. Fun for us fans to talk about but there is way more in the bigger picture. But I think they both are correct in their points. EWU is a decent comparison simply because we both have to travel there opposed to one getting them at home. But hoops is right that you guys played them early and you've likely evolved, and we get them later in the year which always helps.
In regards to Davis, it is a good comparison because we both play them so close to one another, but we shouldn't ignore that it is a different animal going on the road versus getting them to come to your place with an electric atmosphere.