Several Big 12 teams, including the Colorado Buffaloes, will begin fall camp next week, making it the perfect time to predict how the conference will unfold in 2026.The Big 12 could be the most competitive conference in the country, especially after Texas Tech's quarterback fiasco. The Red Raiders are still the favorites, but BYU and Utah are close behind. We can't count out Arizona or Houston either, who have the contender ceiling but are firmly in the conference's second tier.After spring practices, we predicted each Big 12 program's 2026 record, with several teams hovering around bowl eligibility (six wins) and another group around 8-10 wins. Nearly three months later, has anything changed?We have gone a step further and predicted the final Big 12 standings a few days out from fall camp.Here are those standings from first all the way down to 16th, without a specific record prediction.Projected 2026 Big 12 football standings Texas Tech Red RaidersAnalysis: I am still saying the Red Raiders are the team to beat, despite losing Brendan Sorsby, but it is a whole lot closer.BYU CougarsAnalysis: The clear second-best team in the conference, and they should once again give the Red Raiders a run for the top spot.Houston CougarsAnalysis: The Cougars were a surprise double-digit win team a year ago, and they should be right there once again.Arizona WildcatsAnalysis: Noah Fifita can be in the Heisman conversation if he builds on his breakout last year, and that makes the Wildcats a top-four Big 12 team.Utah UtesAnalysis: A step back is somewhat expected with the departure of head coach Kyle Whittingham, but the Utes should still win 8-9 games.TCU Horned FrogsAnalysis: Bringing in Jaden Craig at quarterback intrigues me greatly. Yes, he is coming from the FCS level, but I think he gives the Horned Frogs a chance to win at least 7 games.Oklahoma State CowboysAnalysis: One-year turnarounds are possible in college football, and OSU is out to test that theory with nearly an entirely new roster. They will be much better than a 1-11 team, but I see 6-7 wins rather than 8-10.Arizona State Sun DevilsAnalysis:Kansas State WildcatsAnalysis: I do think Collin Klein improves the team, but I still think Avery Johnson needs to take a massive step forward for the Wildcats to be considered a top-five team.Cincinnati BearcatsAnalysis: Here we start to get into the 6-6, 5-7 range of teams. I like the Bearcats, but don't see them much better than 6-6.Colorado BuffaloesAnalysis: Some people see another 3-9 season coming for the Buffs; I am not one. I see a 6-6 team with a ceiling of 8 wins.Baylor BearsAnalysis: I like DJ Lagway, and if Dave Aranda can fix his defense, which he was hired a few years ago to do, then maybe the Bears can do something.UCF KnightsAnalysis: I wasn't a fan of the Knights last year, and that was the right choice with UCF going 4-8. I see a one-or two-win improvement, but that is it.West Virginia MountaineersAnalysis: Rich Rodriguez is building something in Morgantown, but 2026 is too early, and they remain a 3-9 or 4-8 team.Iowa State CyclonesAnalysis: I think it is a race between Iowa State and Kansas to the bottom of the Big 12. The Cyclones "lose" the race because I think Jaylen Raynor is light-years better than whatever the quarterback situation is in Lawrence.Kansas JayhawksAnalysis: I don't think there will be a 1-11 team in the Big 12 this year, but if any team can be that team, it is the Kansas Jayhawks. Lance Leipold is a more-than-solid coach, so he prevents it from happening.Follow Charlie StrellaonX,ThreadsandInstagram.Contact/Follow us@BuffaloesWireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookfor ongoing coverage ofColoradonews, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Big 12 football final standings projection for the 2026 season