South Carolina’s triumph in the Outback Bowl over Michigan continues the most successful run in school history. A look at the 10 best USC football teams:

1. 2012

RECORD: 11-2

COACH: STEVE SPURRIER

Winning 11 games for the second consecutive season, USC finished as the highest-ranked squad in school history, coming in No. 8 in the final Associated Press poll and seventh in the coaches poll.

2t. 2011

RECORD: 11-2

COACH: STEVE SPURRIER

The Capital One Bowl win against Nebraska gave USC its first 11-win season. Other firsts: USC won six SEC games and finished 5-0 against SEC East foes.

2t. 2000

RECORD: 8-4

COACH: LOU HOLTZ

A win in the opener ended a 21-game losing streak. A win a week later against No. 9 Georgia set the stage for a memorable year. The bowl romp over Ohio State provided a perfect finish.

4. 2001

RECORD: 9-3

COACH: LOU HOLTZ

The Gamecocks went 5-3 in the SEC and defeated three Top-25 teams. Beating Alabama is never bad. The Gamecocks made it back-to-back Outback Bowl wins against Ohio State.

5. 1984

RECORD: 10-2

COACH: JOE MORRISON

The Gamecocks won their first nine games before stumbling against a weak Navy team. Win that game and follow with a victory over Clemson, and USC would have played for the national championship.

6. 1987

RECORD: 8-4

COACH: JOE MORRISON

A play here or a play there, and perhaps this team would challenge for the best label. The Gamecocks took Nebraska and Miami, both ranked No. 2 at the time, to the wire.

7. 1980

RECORD: 8-4

COACH: JIM CARLEN

In George Rogers’ senior season, the Gamecocks beat Michigan in Ann Arbor, played Southern California tough in L.A. and had a shot at derailing Georgia’s march to the national title.

8. 1979

RECORD: 8-4

COACH: JIM CARLEN

A one-point loss at Notre Dame ranks among the Gamecocks’ toughest defeats. USC went 2-2 against ranked teams.

9. 1969

RECORD: 7-4

COACH: PAUL DIETZEL

The Gamecocks raced through the ACC undefeated to earn the league championship, but USC lost its two games against ranked teams (Georgia and Tennessee).

10. 1958

RECORD: 7-3

COACH: WARREN GIESE

This team that featured Alex Hawkins and King Dixon had the possibility of being really special, but two close losses spoiled the possibility of a major bowl.