One Opposing Player Each Pac-12 Team Wishes They Could Trade For

Each Pac-12 team has different needs for where they are currently at in the season

The Pac-12 conference while it may not exist after December 1, is currently the best conference in college football.

They have had six teams ranked in the top 25 for a few weeks now, and they appear to have a legitimate chance at ending their playoff drought. However, each and every team in the Pac-12 and the rest of the country has some sort of weakness, whether it be quarterback play, defense, or offensive linemen. 

That is why I went through each Pac-12 team and addressed what I think is their biggest need. If trades were allowed at the college level, which obviously they aren't and never will be, these are the players that I think every team in the conference would love to add. In this scenario, it is to benefit the team as it currently stands as of Week 8, and no one player can be traded for twice. The order will be based on the current standings.

Arizona State: Caleb Williams (QB)

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Current School: USC

Despite being 1-5 on the year, Arizona State's defense is actually quite underrated. They ranked as one of the top 35  units heading into this week, but what has really hurt them is inconsistency from the quarterback position. They have started a few different quarterbacks, and the injury bug hasn't been kind to that position group. They have good weapons in running back Cameron Skattebo, and receivers Elijah Badger, and Xavier Guillory, so having Williams slinging the rock could be a difference for this team that has lost their last three games by an average of 4.6 points. 

Stanford: Travis Hunter (WR/DB)

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Current School: Colorado 

Likely every team in the Pac-12 would love to add a two-way star to their roster, but Travis Hunter would have a massive impact at Stanford. On offense, he would be a surefire big play every time he touched the ball, and he would boost what is one of the most inexperienced secondary units in the country. Stanford is in a rebuilding stage so realistically they could use a whole new offensive line, a new quarterback, or even a game-changing running back but they give up big plays and could use more on offense, which is where Hunter would come into play. 

Cal: Michael Penix Jr. (QB)

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Current School: Washington 

Similar to Arizona State, Cal has cycled through their fair share of quarterbacks. So, adding Washington's Michael Penix Jr. who is a Heisman frontrunner would move mountains for this team. He would be complimented by a nice run game, and the offense having more success would end up helping their defense as well. Cal hasn't really had much of any consistency at quarterback over the past few years, and Penix would add a completely different element. 

Washington State: Taki Taimani (DT)

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Current School: Oregon 

Washington State has lost three straight games, and the common denominator is the rush defense. Even against Oregon State, which was a game they won, they allowed the Beavers to run for over 240 yards. Adding Taki Taimani to their defensive front would help clog those rushing lanes. The Oregon big man has the fourth-highest run defense grade out of every defensive tackle in the country, and would help this team not get outmatched in the trenches.  

Colorado: Taliese Fuaga (OT)

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Current School: Oregon State 

Colorado is one of the more exciting teams in the country, but their biggest flaw is the trenches. They are horrendous on both sides of the ball, and especially the offensive line. They are second in the country in sacks allowed with 35 through seven games, which means Shedeur Sanders is on pace to be sacked 60 times on the year. Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga grades out as the No. 4 tackle in the country, and would provide a major boost in helping Colorado protect Sanders while also establishing the run.

Arizona: Alex Johnson (DB)

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Current School: UCLA

Arizona isn't known for being prolific at forcing turnovers, but adding Alex Johnson from UCLA could help change that. He has three picks on the year and also has three pass deflections on the year. He would be a great addition in games where they are having shootouts due to the fact that there's a good chance he would steal a possession from the other team. 

UCLA: Bo Nix (QB)

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Current School: Oregon 

Playing at his former school, is the perfect quarterback for Chip Kelly's system. Oregon's Bo Nix is an elite passer, and can also reak havoc with his legs. The Bruins are already a top 25 team, and that is with having subpar quarterback play. Dante Moore threw seven picks in his last three starts, and Ethan Garbers just doesn't have the game-changing ability that Nix does.

Utah: Benjamin Yurosek (TE)

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Current School: Stanford 

Realistically Utah could go quarterback, linebacker, or receiver here but they make their money with the tight end spot. Stanford's Benjamin Yurosek is one of the best in the country, but due to Stanford's poor offensive line, he is being used more as a blocker. If he was in Utah's offense he would be the next great tight end for the Utes, and would make life easy for Bryson Barnes at quarterback. 

Oregon: Joshua Karty (K)

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Current School: Stanford

Oregon is arguably the most complete team in the conference, they are home to the No. 20 defense in the country and the No. 2 offense in the country. They have playmakers all over the field, but a position that stands out as of late is their kicking game. Their current kicker missed what a kick to send the Washington game to overtime, and has a long of 45. Stanford's kicker Joshua Karty didn't miss a single kick a year ago, and is 5-of-5 from 40-49 yards compared to Camden Lewis' 3-of-5. Lewis has also missed a field goal in each of their last three games. Karty on the other hand redeemed himself for a couple misses, by hitting the game-winner against Colorado. 

Oregon State: Troy Franklin (WR)

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Current School: Oregon 

When you get to this upper echelon of Pac-12 teams, there aren't glaring needs for these teams. Oregon State has a top-50 defense, an elite rushing attack complimented by good quarterback play, and even their kicking is great. So, what I think would take this offense to the next level is having a game-changing receiver like Troy Franklin, who DJ Uiagellei can huck it up to and stretch the field with. 

USC: Edefuan Ulofoshio (LB)

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Current School: Washington 

USC's defense has been the subject of much criticism and is often viewed as a finesse defense, which is a kind way of saying soft. Washington's Edefuan Ulofoshio would be a player who can help bring down opposing playmakers, and would also bring a tougher mentality to this defense after starting his career as a walk-on. 

Washington: Bucky Irving (RB)

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Current School: Oregon 

Washington has the best passing attack in the country, but if they had one flaw on offense it'd be their rushing attack. That is where Oregon's Bucky Irving comes into play, as he is fourth in the country with 7.46 yards per carry compared to Washington's 4.4. He also has 694 yards rushing compared to Washington's entire team which has 727, and he is a dynamic back that can make an impact in the passing game which would only make this offense that much more elite.