Interesting discussion especially with me still being drunk and all. That said, it all depends on what UT is willing to do. From a Pac-12 perspective, Cristobal is a solid choice - IF you're willing to go all SEC. Oregon gives no fucks and has long since decided to go down the SEC path of "I might stop with the dirty shit, if you catch me." Petersen likely hung it up at UW because that's not how he works. UW and UO, maybe Utah (USC when they're good) are the only schools in the Pac-12 that a Big 12 or SEC fan would recognize as a college football game day if they visited. The other schools have good history and traditions but just aren't that into it, or are smaller schools like WSU.
Petersen would be a great fit at UT if he wanted to coach again - UW like UT is a serious academic institution and Petersen's style, both coaching and recruiting, is perfect for that sort of school. I'm just not sure he wants to - he's happy at UW as an associate AD and he teaches leadership courses at UW's business school. If he would take the job at UT, I'd root for him and you forever. He's what college football should be about - top APR scores, very good football, and kids set up to succeed when they leave the program. I'm just not sure he's in to what CFB really requires to be at the very top of the heap.
If you take Cristobal, you will succeed, and I'll be happy that UO (you also can't spell "c_cks_cker" without "UO") has to find another coach. I'm just not sure - to your credit - that that's what UT wants.