Interesting, not trying to be argumentative, but in my leisurely watching CFB over the holidays, I never heard WA being picked to win
You're right in a way, but there's a ton of clickbait writers and halftime has-beens who are being edgy in coming up with all these ways UW will surprise and defeat UT. Some of them caveat it with the "Texas is talented, but" line, then get into whatever their secret insight is. These guys are always trying to make a name for themselves for being a bright analyst who sees things others overlook.
So, while it's not that we're the underdogs, but more like the easiest to upset. And there's merit to that as well, since our team has stumbled in big games before more often than not recently. I would bet as we get closer to gametime, we'll see more people picking UW to win. They have nothing to lose. If Texas wins, it was because they were supposed to. If UW wins, then they look super smart in picking them.