The Ohio State receiving corps hasn’t had much turnover since putting up meager numbers last season. But starter Corey Brown believes the much-maligned group has undergone such a complete transformation that fans watching today’s game against Miami may not believe it’s the same bunch.

“There’s going to be a big difference this year. You probably won’t even recognize us,” Brown said. “It’s going to be fun out there the way our offense looks and the way we’ve been practicing.

“We’re making the plays we probably wouldn’t have made last year, doing the things we probably wouldn’t have done.”

Brown is so enthused about coach Urban Meyer’s new offense that he’s projecting the leading pass-catcher this year might hit the 80 mark. When that prediction was met with skepticism from his listeners, he amended it to 70.

Still, that might qualify as a preposterous forecast , given the team leader last year finished with 14 receptions and that the seven receivers combined for a mere 65.

But a solid spring and summer of work — and Meyer’s new schemes — have the unit believing they’re poised to fare much better than last season under coach Jim Tressel’s leftover staff. The Buckeyes averaged 127 passing yards per game, which ranked 115th out of 120 FBS teams.

“Coach Tressel was kind of play it safe and win the game. Coach Meyer is, we’re going to score 100 points, we’re going to run scores up and have a good time out there, defeat our opponents good and ‘no mas’ everybody,” Brown said.

The “no mas” reference is what a thoroughly befuddled and beaten Roberto Duran uttered to Sugar Ray Leonard before quitting in their famed 1980s boxing match, meaning “no more.”

“It’s good going out there knowing we’re expected to score, where last year we were just trying to move the ball and hoping and praying for points,” Brown said.

Known as “Philly” Brown to differentiate between him and another player on the team by the same name, the 6-foot, 187-pound junior will go into the opener as the No. 1 receiver. Brown also has been given punt- and kick-return duties.

But while Meyer sees promise in his receivers, he acknowledges they still have a long way to go.

“The (lack of) offensive skill has been well documented. That obviously, from just statistical analysis, would tell you it was very poor,” he said. “But I think those kids have really made a strong development. (Receivers coach) Zach Smith and those guys have done a pretty good job. We have to get a lot better, but they are getting better.”

OSU cornerback Doran Grant has noticed the improvement in practice.

“That one year is a big difference. We have more competition. They’re more hungry, I feel,” he said. “The young guys like Michael Thomas, he’s bringing more energy to the group.”

He also put in a plug for his cousin, Devin Smith.

“He’s a good player. He’s gotten stronger and quicker running routes. He’s doing a good job,” Grant said.

Dependable tight end Jake Stoneburner has been moved to the “H” slot, meaning the 6-5, 245-pound senior will line up at a variety of positions, while Smith, 6-1, 200-pound sophomore, will start in multiple-receiver sets.

Evan Spencer, Chris Fields and Thomas, the spring-game star, are listed as the three back-ups.

“Our chemistry in spring ball wasn’t good at all,” Brown said. “We didn’t know much about the offense. Over the summer, we worked on timing and routes. It’s really good now.”

Part of that synergy has come from the growth of quarterback Braxton Miller, who has drawn raves from coaches and teammates.

“He’s grown accuracy wise and throwing-power wise,” Brown said. “He’s firing the ball and getting it out fast.”