Florida QB Tim Tebow. ::Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Florida coach Urban Meyer said Monday that quarterback Tim Tebow "looks a lot better," but Tebow still has not been cleared to practice - leaving his status for Saturday's game between top-ranked Florida and No. 4 LSU in question.

"He got tested Friday, Saturday and Monday," Meyer said. "All they're telling me is it's very positive."

As Tebow recovers from the concussion he suffered Oct. 3 at Kentucky, doctors and trainers are testing him daily and comparing the results of those tests to a baseline established by a test in June. When Tebow gets close enough to those baseline results, he'll be allowed to play. That could happen any day, or it could take a while.  If the medical staff either clears Tebow or rules him out for the game in Baton Rouge, should Meyer tell anyone?

Meyer said if Tebow is cleared early, he'll probably announce it. If the word doesn't come down until late, the world may have to wait to see whether Tebow or redshirt freshman John Brantley leads the Gators onto the field. Knowing Meyer, it'll probably be Saturday before we find out whether Tebow will play.

Last week, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops revealed on Thursday that 2008 Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford would not start against Miami, meaning redshirt freshman Landry Jones would get the ball against the Hurricanes. Did Stoops make a mistake? No. There is no fundamental difference in Oklahoma's offense as run by Bradford or Jones. Revealing who would start didn't make Miami's defensive preparation any easier.

Florida is a different case. A Tebow-led offense would feature lots of option and single-wing principles. With Brantley running the offense, Florida would still run option plays, but the best single-wing action probably would come from some sort of Wildcat formation snapping to someone such as cornerback Joe Haden (a high school quarterback) or tailback Jeff Demps. Those players offer a different dimension than Tebow. They're less of a threat to throw, but they're much faster. Also, with Brantley playing, Florida might try to stretch the field to make use of the second-generation Gator's NFL-caliber arm.

If Meyer doesn't reveal whether Tebow will play, LSU must prepare for all of the above. Meyer said Monday that he doesn't think the mystery is much of an advantage, though. "A lot of that, I think, is overrated," Meyer said. "One of them is a great, proven player. One's got a lot of ability. Will things change? Are we going to abandon everything and all of a sudden be this I-formation, under-center, power, off-tackle team? No, we're not." Still, when has a coach ever declined even the slightest potential advantage?

Meyer said Monday he isn't sure how long he'll wait to make a decision. Brantley has been taking first-team snaps in Tebow's absence, and the game plan will be completely installed by Wednesday. Meyer has said Tebow has earned the right to play without extensive practice, but at some point, Meyer may have to decide who gives the Gators a better chance to win - a Tebow who hasn't practiced or a Brantley who has taken all the practice reps. "Can Tim play quarterback for Florida against a very good defense without practicing?" Meyer said Monday. "I don't know that."

One thing is certain. If Tebow doesn't play, Meyer and his coaches will be holding their collective breath every time Brantley drops back to pass. Florida's third-string quarterback is Chas Henry. If that name sounds familiar, it should. Henry, who started at quarterback at East Paulding High in Dallas, Ga., is Florida's starting punter.