Breaking down the passing attacks Georgia Tech will face this season

A look at the passing attacks Georgia Tech will face this season.

Boston College

Passing yards per game last season: 110.9.

TDs/INT: 8/9.

Sacks allowed: 28.

Passing yards last time playing GT: The teams didn't meet last season.

Starters returning: 7.

Date of game: Sept. 3 in Dublin, Ireland.

Comment: The Eagles return three starting offensive linemen as well as their tight end. Quarterback Darius Wade will be pushed by graduate transfer Patrick Towles, who passed for more than 5,000 yards at Kentucky.

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Mercer

Passing yards per game last season: 200.5.

TDs/INT: 18/3.

Sacks allowed: 8.

Passing yards last time playing GT: The teams didn't meet last season.

Starters returning: 10.

Date of game: Sept. 10.

Comment: John Russ (2,141 yards on 58.2 percent) returns as quarterback, as does wide receivers Avery Ward (40/481/6 last year ) and Chandler Curtis (13/153/1).

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Vanderbilt

Passing yards per game last season: 171.8.

TDs/INT: 11/16.

Sacks allowed: 28.

Passing yards last time playing GT: The teams didn't meet last season.

Starters returning: 8.

Date of game: Sept. 17.

Comment: The Commodores had one of the worst passing offenses in FBS last season. They return three starters on the offensive line, including Will Holden and Andrew Jelks, who have 44 starts between them. Wide receiver C.J. Duncan and tight end Jared Pinkney also return. Kyle Shurmur (42.7 completion percentage last year) was named the starting quarterback over the summer. He went 2-3 as a starter last year.

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Clemson

Passing yards per game last season: 291.5.

TDs/INT: 35/15.

Sacks allowed: 18.

Passing yards last time playing GT: The Tigers passed for 336 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in last year's 43-24 win.

Starters returning: 9 who have started.

Date of game: Sept. 22.

Comment: Eight of the nine returning starters have been named all-ACC, the most in school history. The group is led by DeShaun Watson, who passed for more than 4,000 yards last season. The line features Mitch Hyatt, Jay Guillermo and Tyrone Crowder. The wide receivers include Artavis Scott (93/901/6 TDs last year), Deon Cain (34/582) and Ray-Ray McCloud (29/251).

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Miami

Passing yards per game last season: 277.1.

TDs/INT: 18/9.

Sacks allowed: 19.

Passing yards last time playing GT: The Hurricanes passed for 300 yards and a touchdown in last year's 38-21 win.

Starters returning: 9.

Date of game: Oct. 1.

Comment: The Hurricanes, led by Mark Richt, return quarterback Brad Kaaya and five players on the line who started at least seven games last season. The wide receivers return Stacy Coley (47/689 last year).

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At Pittsburgh

Passing yards per game last season: 190.6.

TDs/INT:  21/9.

Sacks allowed: 29.

Passing yards last time playing GT: The Panthers passed for 191 yards and three touchdowns in last year's 31-28 win.

Starters returning: 8.

Date of game: Oct. 8.

Comment: The offense returns all-ACC tackle Adam Bisnowaty, guard Adrian Johnson and tackle Brian O'Neill. Nathan Peterman (2,287 yards/20 TDs/8 ints last year) returns at quarterback, Scott Orndoff (13/244) returns at tight end and Dontez Ford (26/505) at wide receiver.

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Vs. Georgia Southern

Passing yards per game last season: 63.4.

TDs/INT: 4/10.

Sacks allowed: 8.

Passing yards last time playing GT: The teams didn't meet last season.

Starters returning: 6.

Date of game: Oct. 15

Comment: Returning are quarterback Kevin Ellison (45 percent completion rate last year) and three offensive linemen. No wide receiver caught more than 15 passes.

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Vs. Duke

Passing yards per game last season: 246.5.

TDs/INT: 18/10.

Sacks allowed: 18.

Passing yards last time playing GT: The Blue Devils passed for 114 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in last year's 34-20 win.

Starters returning: 6.

Date of game: Oct. 29.

Comment: The offense returns quarterback Thomas Sirk (if he is healthy), tackles Casey Blaser and Gabe Brandner and guard Tanner Stone. Anthony Nash (37/522 career) and T.J. Rahming (43/571 career) return at wide receiver.

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At North Carolina

Passing yards per game last season: 262.5.

TDs/INT: 31/10.

Sacks allowed: 16.

Passing yards last time playing GT: The Tar Heels passed for 182 yards and a touchdown in last season's 38-31 win.

Starters returning: 7.

Date of game: Nov. 5.

Comment: The line returns four starters with 112 career starts between them. Wide receivers Mack Hollins (30/745 last year) and Ryan Switzer (55/697) return. Mitch Trubisky will take over at quarterback.

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At Virginia Tech

Passing yards per game last season: 225.8.

TDs/INT: 24/14.

Sacks allowed: 34.

Passing yards last time playing GT: The Hokies passed for 178 yards with a touchdown and an interception in last year's 23-21 win.

Starters returning: 8.

Date of game: Nov. 12.

Comment: It will be interesting to see what new coach Justin Fuente can do with so many returning starters. The line returns four starters with more than 85 career starts. The Hokies have arguably the best wide receiver in the ACC in Isaiah Ford, who set school records for receptions (75), receiving yards (1,164) and receiving touchdowns (11) in a season last year. What they don't have is a quarterback. Jerod Evans and Brendan Motley are competing to be the starter.

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Vs. Virginia

Passing yards per game last season: 238.2.

TDs/INT: 21/18.

Sacks allowed: 21.

Passing yards last time playing GT: Virginia passed for 175 yards with a touchdown and an interception in last season's 27-21 win.

Starters returning: 7.

Date of game: Nov. 19.

Comment: The line returns four starters, all upperclassmen with multiple letters earned. Matt Johns returns at quarterback. The wide receivers lack a notable impact player.

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At Georgia

Passing yards per game last season: 185.1.

TDs/INT: 14/8.

Sacks allowed: 15.

Passing yards last time playing GT: The Bulldogs passed for 224 yards in last year's 13-7 win.

Starters returning: 8.

Date of game: Nov. 26.

Comment: The returners include three starters on the offensive line, one at tight end, as well as quarterback Greyson Lambert and running backs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. Terry Godwin (35/379 last year) is the top returning wide receiver. Reggie Davis and Isaiah McKenzie also return. Jeb Blazevich is the top returning tight end.