My poll had been there since Sunday, and I look to check it today, and it has been deleted. Not only that, but someone else has a pants thread up and running...what gives?

Because your poll was started before the game in which the pants were even worn and one of the options was actually if people were going to wait and see before deciding, which is of little value at this point. The new poll was posted after the game in which the pants were actually worn and seen by the fans.