I actually can't recall allllllll these kids you say were denied by the admissions department. We (like other schools) usually just won't offer or take commitments from kids that are questionable academically- but even that "standard" has been extremely flexible with us. See Trayone Gray, etc.
The rest of our argument mainly centers on what Lincoln Riley CAN do here versus what he SHOULD do. And the "should" isn't just a right/wrong type of deal but a big picture one with him and that program too. He's riding high right now but this kind of stuff can also bite you pr-wise and that can eventually translate into recruiting-wise. Seems like a pretty small potato type of deal for him to be willing to take the negative blowback over that is coming.
Difference of opinion on that. Nothing more.