The quenching of minijets (particles with p(T) >> T, Lambda(QCD)) in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions has been one of the main predictions and discoveries at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. We analyze the correlation between different observables like the nuclear modification factor R(AA) (p(T)), the elliptic flow, and the ratio of quark to gluon suppressions. We show that the temperature (or entropy density) dependence of the in-medium energy loss strongly affects the relation among these observables. In particular, the large elliptic flow and the nearly equal R(AA) (p(T)) of quarks and gluons can be accounted for only if the energy loss occurs mainly around T(c) and the q <-> g conversion is significant. The use of an equation of state fitted to lattice QCD calculations, slowing down the cooling as T -> T(c), seems to contribute to both the enhancement of v(2) and the efficiency of the conversion mechanism.