I agree with everything except Stoops. OU was at the top in 2001 and 2004, and were still close in 2010. Now, fans are a bit weary and the Big 12 has lost some luster which has hurt OU's recruiting. According to 24/7, OU hasn't finished in the top 10 in recruiting since 2010 (when Stoops turned UF down). If he went to Florida, he'd have a top 5 recruiting class every year. Muschamp pulled in two top 5 classes and another top 10 class during that same time frame.
I still don't actually think Stoops ends up at Florida, but I think this time is a bit different than the other times. I think he listens.
I don't think that argument holds up. OU fans have been weary of Stoops starting with his choke-job to Miles in 2001 and hitting full song after his debacles in the '03 Big 12 CG, the '03 BCSNCG and the '04 BCSNCG. If Stoops had real trepidation about any of that, he would have left Norman long ago.
Re: recruiting: Oklahoma never really had classes that were that highly ranked nationally, with an exception or two here or there, and most of the top classes over the past ten years have basically gone to SEC schools, USC, FSU, Texas, and Ohio State. In terms of rankings, OU is basically now where they have been all along, "good" classes that don't usually get elite billing, and which are usually pegged at around 10th or 15th nationally by most of the recruiting talking heads. Besides, while it's true he'd have better classes at Florida, the relevant peer group also changes dramatically. He can finish 10th in recruiting one year in the Big 12 and have the best class in the conference; he could take that same class in the SEC and finish sixth in the conference on Signing Day. Again, poolside lounger to the frying pan...
