Tensions in the legal standoff between LSU and the SEC spiked Thursday when a Louisiana judge cleared the way for a pair of former NFL signees to play for the Tigers, mere hours after the conference sued one of its charter members.The Louisiana judge, William Jorden, ruled in favor of a few dozen plaintiffs who sought a fifth year of eligibility after a recent NCAA rule change. The most notable ones: tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris, former Ole Miss players under first-year LSU coach Lane Kiffin. Both previously signed NFL contracts as undrafted free agents.Wright and Harris told reporters at the courthouse that they expect to be on the official team roster for LSU this weekend. One of their lawyers clarified that they are legally able to play, but it’s up to Kiffin whether they suit up and see the field. Harris told reporters he may need a couple of weeks to be available and hopes to be ready for the game against Ole Miss, his former team, on Sept. 19. Wright said he hopes to play Saturday against Clemson.“Just putting on a college uniform again,” said Wright when asked what he’s most looking forward to about Saturday. “Going out there and having fun. Embracing my opportunity.”“LSU respects the judicial process and the court’s decision,” said LSU president Wade Rousse in a statement. “Our responsibility is to support our programs while complying with the law and rules governing our conference. We will carefully review the court’s order and continue to work constructively with the SEC and NCAA as this matter moves forward.”In its own statement, the SEC said, “We disagree with the Court’s decision. … The Conference and its member universities have the right to establish, through agreed-upon governance procedures, the rules under which they voluntarily compete and to expect those rules to be followed.”“Justice was served to the SEC,” said Tony Clayton, the attorney for Louisiana’s 18th Judicial District. “It was served like a cold cup of gumbo, and that judge forced them to eat it.”Thursday’s decision, which lawyers for the SEC told reporters the league plans to appeal, sets up a fascinating drama that will play out over the next two days. LSU has until Friday night to decide whether to include both players on the roster — a move the SEC tried to block with its own legal move.During Thursday’s hearing, the SEC separately filed a lawsuit in federal court against LSU, Kiffin and other school administrators. The SEC is seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction that would prohibit LSU from playing athletes who signed NFL contracts, arguing that doing so would violate the conference’s First Amendment rights by associating the SEC with actions that undermine its rules and core values. A similar First Amendment argument was made by the Big 12 against Texas Tech in its federal filing earlier this summer around the eligibility of quarterback Brendan Sorsby. That case has yet to move forward, though the Big 12’s argument impacted Sorsby’s decision to leave Texas Tech and accept permanent ineligibility status from the NCAA.Essentially, the SEC wants the ability to enforce its own rules and sanctions against its member schools. The league recently approved penalties for rostering and playing athletes who signed professional contracts after leaving college, which include suspending the head coach for half the season, fines, and the loss of voting privileges on conference matters.