Why is the SEC so soft when it comes to hitting?

The truth being that the SEC is fast and their front four are fast and strong. But why are they soft? When I see players like Ronnie Lott and John Lynch and Troy Polamalu come out of the PAC-10 and do what they do in the NFL it makes you wonder. I was raised in CA but have lived in Louisiana for 17 years. They are fast here, no doubt. But they play weak.