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Rob Gronkowski knows the question before it's going to be asked.

After all, he gets it every day.

"Everybody wants to know who our starting quarterback is," he said.

The Arizona Wildcats' quarterback battle might receive the most attention when the team opens training camp Aug. 6, but the team has issues more complex than who will start the season under center.

Arizona must find a cornerback, a safety and a linebacker who can fit into a no-name defense that excelled a year ago.

The Wildcats' offense also must discover a new No. 1 wide receiver and find a tackle and a guard to line up alongside Gronkowski, the team's star tight end.

Arizona's coaches can't provide answers until the start of camp, but we can ask all the questions we want.

Here are four questions to think about in the next month; one of them, of course, is obvious:

1. Who will start at quarterback?

Sophomores Matt Scott and Nick Foles split time in spring drills, and — according to teammates — have been about even in summer 7-on-7 workouts on campus.

The players' strengths and weaknesses are well-documented: Foles, a lanky transfer from Michigan State, has the better arm and, as of the spring, a better grasp of the Air Zona offense.

Scott, a sophomore from Corona, Calif., is electric on his feet and an excellent improviser.

"Nick Foles is a straight pocket-passer, but he's real athletic, that kid," Gronkowski said. "Matt can run and he's got a cannon, too. But he has to be accurate. Sometimes, he's not."

And then there's Bryson Beirne. The Wildcats' third-string quarterback has been surging this summer, leading 7-on-7 drills and showing improved footwork.

"Bryson knows the whole offense backwards," tailback Nicolas Grigsby said. "Forget the Matt Scott-Nick Foles talk, Bryson's right there, too. I don't see anybody ahead right now."

UA coach Mike Stoops isn't expected to name a starter until the team opens the season Sept. 5 against Central Michigan. The battle could continue until Sept. 26, when the Wildcats open Pac-10 play at Oregon State.

2. Who will have the QB's back?

Eben Britton's decision to enter the NFL draft a year early has left the Wildcats woefully short at left tackle, a position that, with four right-handed quarterbacks on the roster, is responsible for protecting the blind side. Stoops announced in April that the hulking Mike Diaz, who started nine games at left guard a year ago, will be the team's No. 1 left tackle heading into training camp. That could change if Phil Garcia, Jack Julsing, Shane Zink or Trace Biskin are impressive in training camp.

For now, however, the job is Diaz's to lose. Stoops likes the look of the 6-foot-5-inch, 325-pound senior-to-be.

3. Are Trevin Wade and Robert Golden ready to start?

Arizona returns seven starters from a defense that was the surprise of the Pac-10 a year ago.

But it's the newcomers — Wade and Golden chief among them — who will be under the most pressure to produce this fall.

Wade was brilliant as a redshirt freshman in 2008, with four interceptions as a backup cornerback. He finished tied for the team lead in picks with Marquis Hundley, who started all 13 games.

Golden was installed as the team's starting free safety in the spring after playing cornerback as a true freshman. He could be pushed by former Palo Verde High School star Adam Hall, who will enter training camp as one of the UA's most-touted freshmen.

"We have two young players in Rob Golden and Trevin Wade, but there will be older guys around, helping them out," Grigsby said.

Defensive end Brooks Reed said the unit won't suffer, even with the infusion of a few inexperienced players.

"I think our defense is going to be our strength this year," he said. "Everyone knows their role, and everyone has that year of experience under our belts."

4. How good can "Gronk" get?

Gronkowski was the centerpiece of the UA's offense in 2008, catching 47 passes for 672 yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games.

Look for coaches to find new ways to get him the ball in 2009.

"You can make it easy," Gronkowski said with a smile.

"Just hand it off to me. Or snap it to me — the Wildcat formation."

Gronkowski has a stock answer when it comes to the quarterback controversy. Even if, depending on the day, it might be a lie.

"I tell everybody," he said, "that they're both doing great."