San Jose, Calif. ? College football’s early-season shock Cal?! should be no surprise. The players who kept making plays Saturday at Michigan State did not overachieve. They finally achieved.

That’s because they finally have a coach who is a crackerjack teacher, game-planner, motivator and quarterback-maker. From 1-10 mutts to 3-0 Jeff.

Former Oregon offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford was the perfect choice to rearrange a cupboard that was more Bear than bare.

Tedford said his team “shouldn’t be surprised or giddy” after it beat 1312-point favorite Michigan State, 46-22. “This just proves we have a talented team.”

And a talented coach. No wonder the NFL’s hottest head-coaching candidate, Washington defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis, puzzled reporters by giving Cal’s vacancy serious consideration. No doubt Lewis saw what Tedford soon did: A “coach of the year” opportunity. While sharp-eyed coaches saw 7-5 or even 8-4 potential, the media and fans expected “Low” Cal to finish last.

Some Oregon fans offered Tedford condolences though he was inheriting the Pacific-10’s most experienced team. Starting with pro prospect Jamaal Cherry, Cal’s defensive line might be the Pacific-10’s best and deepest. Starting with Scott Tercero, an honorable mention all-conference guard, five offensive linemen returned with starting experience.

Though obscured by injuries, shattered confidence or misuse, skill-position talent was scattered across the depth chart. Joe Igber, LaShaun Ward, Jemeel Powell and Geoff McArthur all made where-has-he-been plays that helped cancel the impact of Michigan State Heisman candidate Charles Rogers.

But what must really have had Tedford pinching himself was a 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior quarterback with a high-pick NFL arm and mobility. Kyle Boller was perhaps Cal’s most celebrated recruit in the previous 20 years. He had earned state player of the year honors by passing for a state-record 4,838 yards.

But Boller’s growth was stunted by a malaise of coordinator changes and receiver injuries. Tedford needed only a spring practice to predict that Boller would be “something special.” Tedford’s teaching helped make Fresno State’s Trent Dilfer, Oregon’s Akili Smith and Oregon’s Joey Harrington high-pick NFL money.

Just as Boller was the best thing that could have happened to a first-year head coach, Tedford will be the best thing that ever happened to Boller. Here’s an educated guess for Cal fans who have lamented the loss of East Bay product Ken Dorsey to Miami: Boller will go higher in the draft.

No wonder Tedford had what first sounded like the audacity to announce in his first media address: “Our goal is to achieve a winning season this year.” Right away every message he sent his players said: We have the talent to compete with anybody if we play hard and smart.

Tedford taught Boller to carry the ball higher before throwing to speed up his release by taping his forearm against his biceps. He improved Boller’s footwork by making him practice on slippery grass in sneakers. He makes his quarterbacks play checkers to sharpen their strategic eye.

The same Cal ranked 85th in the country by Sports Illustrated is 23rd in this week’s Associated Press poll. If “Teddyball” beats Air Force as decisively as it did Baylor, New Mexico State and Michigan State, could Cal be a slight home favorite over preseason Pac-10 favorite Washington State a week from Saturday?

While some consider it a liability that Cal must play four Pac-10 teams ranked above it in the AP poll, Tedford views it as an opportunity. No bowl this season because of probation? No problem if Cal can win some “bowls” against Pac-10 powers.

Who knows? Maybe Tedford soon will replace former Cal coach Steve Mariucci as 49ers coach.