How big is "Home Dome" advantage really?

I’m just killing time at work today, and I’ve never played or coached at a high level of D-1 football. I say this because it’s all speculation, but how big of an advantage do you think playing in the dome will be? I think it helps, sure, but I don’t see it as being quite as big a deal as most make it out to be. I find it mildly insulting that LSU in the Superdome seems to equate with Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

I’d clearly rather play in NOLA than any of the other BCS cities, clearly. But I don’t’ see it as a home game. What are the big factors in determining a “home field” advantage? I’d say there are 3 major factors: familiarity with the facilities, crowd, and familiar routines/comfort factor. I’m open to disagreement.

How many players have actually played in the dome? It would seem to me that the only guys with dome experience gained it from high school. Compared to 2007, that team played a regular season game in the superdome and also the previous Bowl game. Huge advantage. I guess a the NOLA players will even more jacked to play at home, but still. Conversely, Bama’s seniors actually played there with Bama as freshman.

The crowd will definitely be an advantage but I can’t think it will be more that 70/30. This is an advantage but nothing like T-Town was against us. Again, better than if it were in Pasadena but ticket allotment and proximity to Alabama may take away a huge advantage.

I guess the lack of airplane rides will be helpful and the team stays in their BR routine a bit longer but it’s still not the comforts of home as in any bowl game. Our guys have a better routine playing in Dallas and Atlanta than they do in New Orleans.